Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that many women silently endure pain and distress due to the societal stigma about menstruation, and emphasised the need to address this matter to protect women from this situation.

She made these remarks while addressing the ‘Period Proud 2025’ conference held on Tuesday (27) in Colombo under the project titled ‘Collective Action Against Period Poverty’.

Addressing the event, Dr. Amarasuriya further stated that menstruation should not be something for women to be ashamed of as it is a natural biological process and emphasised that the menstrual health and period poverty are not merely health issues but matters that are closely connected to dignity, equality, and human rights.

The Premier pointed out that according to a recent survey conducted in the regions of Trincomalee, Kandy, and Colombo, a significant number of schoolgirls are forced to miss school due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and that many women are resorting to unsafe alternatives, which creates a highly dangerous situation.

Further highlighting the issue, she stated that due to the prevailing societal stigma about menstrual health, many women suffer in silence and that this situation needs to be changed along with an introduction to a need for a systematic and prompt plan to ensure that menstruation does not interfere with anyone’s health, education, or dignity.

She noted that the Ministry of Education has already implemented a programme to provide free sanitary products to all schoolgirls over the age of 13 with special attention given to girls from low-income families while emphasising that no girl should be denied the right to education because of her period.

She also mentioned that the possibility of implementing a programme to distribute reusable sanitary pads starting next year (2026) is being considered. Further, she acknowledged that there have been requests to remove all taxes on feminine hygiene products and that although some progress has been made, achieving success will require comprehensive policies and reforms. Dr. Amarasuriya concluded by stating that discussions are currently taking place with the Ministry of Finance regarding the removal of taxes.