Sri Lankan Parliament Goes Pink to Support Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Members of Parliament and staff in Sri Lanka attended today’s (October 22) parliamentary session dressed in pink or pink-shaded attire to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed globally every October as “Pink Month.”

In a symbolic gesture at the Parliament complex, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne were presented with awareness badges and wristbands to promote the early detection and prevention of breast cancer. The event was organized by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, with badges and wristbands also presented to Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Chief Government Whip Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka.

All Members of Parliament were encouraged to wear the symbolic pink badges and wristbands distributed at the Members’ Entrance, according to a statement from the Department of Communication of Parliament.

In support of the cause, a special parliamentary debate on breast cancer prevention was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today, aligning with global awareness campaigns.

Health professionals speaking at the event highlighted that breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide. In Sri Lanka, approximately 15 new cases are diagnosed daily, with about three deaths per day attributed to the disease. They emphasized that early detection through regular self-examinations—especially for women over the age of 20—significantly increases the chances of full recovery.

Speakers also stressed that addressing this public health issue is aSpeakers also stressed that addressing this public health issue is a shared responsibility between women and men. Awareness initiatives have already begun at the school level and through community programs under the theme “Pink Wednesday.”

In parallel, the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has formally requested the Ministry of Education to instruct all school principals to hold awareness sessions during morning assemblies to educate students about breast cancer prevention.