At present there is a regulation that when a widow remarries, the W & OP is withdrawn. Sometime ago it was included in the budget proposals to permit 50% of W & OP after remarriage but it was not passed by the parliament.

There was a time in 1930’s, widows were kept away from society. Educational facilities and social life were blocked. Leaders like Mahathma Gandhi fought for them and they were allowed to go for higher education. Some ladies took an active part in the freedom struggle. Some of them remarried. At present widows do not have much discrimination.

At present in Sri Lanka, we have a significant number of widows of all ages and this problem has to be attended more humanely.

It is very important to understand why a widow would wish to remarry.

1 . Securing social status

2. To enjoy what married life has to offer.

3. Avoidance of loneliness.

4. Better life for her children

5. To have a guardian for the family.

It is the duty of the government to encourage the remarriage of widows. It is very essential to permit 50% of W & OP to continue after remarriage.

A widow should not forgo all her benefits due to the fear of losing her income. It may not be possible for poor widows to remarry a person of better income. In fact he also may have children and it would be a union of two families.

If this concession of 50% W & OP is not allowed, it will encourage a "living together" culture as in Western countries and may create social problems. We must try to wipe the tears of our unfortunate sisters who had lost their husbands due to the war.