A task force was appointed to implement steps to eliminate violence against women, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stated today.

Speaking at the national event to mark International Women's Day, Wickremesinghe said that the taks force will carry out the recommendations of the Committee on Violence against Women appointed by him in March 2013.

This committee gave its recommendations several months ago. The Minister of women's Affairs Chandrani Bandara filed the report of this committee in the parliament last Friday.

Professor Savithri Gunasekera has been appointed as Chairman of the Task Force while Dr. Selvi Thiruchelvam is its Secretary. TheTask Force was given a period of one year to complete the recommendations of the committee.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the State Council which will be established under the 19th Amendment will have female representation and steps would be taken to increase female representation in local government bodies by 25 percent.