The book titled “Fatalities: Accidents, Suicides and Femicides of Women and Girls in Sri Lanka” based on National research conducted by the University of Kelaniya in collaboration with the UNFPA Sri Lanka was launched on 7th of December 2021 at The Hilton, Colombo in front of a distinguished gathering. The research was conducted during 2016-2017 in five provinces (Western, Southern, Eastern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces) on female deaths that occurred in 2013-2015. This study is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, which used both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather data. The authors of the book were Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Maithree Wickramasinghe, Manikya Kodithuwakku, Anusha Edirisinghe, Indira Kitulwatte, Handun Wijewardena, Udara Senarathne, A. Pathmeswaran, P. Paranitharan, Annista Wijenayake, Nirmala Perera, Asvini Fernando, and Dilini Chamali Walisundara.

The book was officially launched and handed over to Ms. Hanaa Singer Hamdy, Resident Coordinator, UN Sri Lanka, and Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya in the presence of a limited gathering consisting of stakeholders who involve in services related to women and children. Hon. Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control and the Chairperson of the Select Committee of Parliament, Hon. Mrs. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus in Parliament, and Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Member of the Select Committee of Parliament and Women Parliamentarians Caucus in Parliament, which ensures gender equity and equality also graced the occasion. Prof. Janaki Hewavisenthi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, DIG Sajeewa Medawatte, Executive Director of NPA, Prof. Sampatha Gunawardhena, Chairperson of the SLMA Woman’s Committee and Ms. Anoma Siriwardana of NCPA were among the invitees.

Ms. Sharika Cooray, Officer in Charge, UNFPA, welcomed the guests highlighting the need for data especially the extreme forms of intimate partner violence, a common phenomenon that need immediate actions based on scientific data. Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kelaniya, highlighted the contribution of this study to the sustainable development in Sri Lanka. Ms Hanaa Singer Hamdy, Resident Coordinator, UN Sri Lanka stated that she considers the research as a courageous act because data on violence against women does not get uncovered due to silence by stigma, fear of perpetrators and fear of justice systems that do not do justice to women and girls.

The introduction to the book was carried out by the principal investigator Prof. Anuruddhi S. Edirisinghe, Professor of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya on behalf of the authors of the book, including Senior Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, Chair Professor of English, University of Kelaniya. Professor Edirisinghe stated that although the book originates from the discipline of Forensic Medicine, it discusses how unnatural female deaths affect individuals and families in social, cultural, gender and other ideologies.

Prof. Jean Perera, Professor of Forensic Medicine, University of Colombo, Senior Prof. Camena Guneratne, Professor in Legal Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka, and Dr. Sepali Kottegoda, Women & Media Collective also addressed the gathering on different aspects of the book namely, Forensic Medicine, Criminal Justice and Sociology and Gender, respectively. The book launch was concluded with the vote of thanks by Prof. Indira Kutulwatte from the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.