A launch of research publication conducted by the Centre for Gender Studies and Department of Forensic Medicine of the University of Kelaniya with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was held on the 07^th of December 2021 at the Blue Hall, Hilton Colombo.

UNFPA recently commissioned a study, which is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, to understand the contributory factors of unnatural deaths from a gender perspective. Conducted by the Centre for Gender Studies & Department of Forensic Medicine of the University of Kelaniya, the study focused on unnatural female deaths in five provinces in the country from 2013-2015. An “Unnatural Death” is said to occur as a result of external causes such as injury, trauma, or poisoning where the manner of circumstance could be homicidal, suicidal, or accidental, or at times even not determined. The findings of this publication echo UNFPA’s ongoing campaign on Intimate Partner Violence which also highlights the prevalence of violence against women and girls at the hands of their most intimate partners. The research was funded by UNFPA.

Cadre Chair & Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Cadre Chair & Senior Prof. Janaki Hewavisenthi, Dean- Faculty of Medicine, Chair Prof. of English and Senior Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, Cadre Chair and Prof. Anuruddhi S. Edirisinghe, Dr, Manikya Kodithuwakku Principal Investigators of the study, University of Kelaniya, Hon. Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, Chairperson of the Select Committee of Parliament to ensure gender equity and equality, and Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Mrs. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, Member of the Select Committee of Parliament to ensure gender equity and equality, and member of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Member of the Select Committee of Parliament to ensure gender equity and equality, and member of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus in Parliament, Ms. Shiranee Thilakawardena, Retired Supreme Court Judge, Ms. Hanaa Singer Hamdy, Resident Coordinator- United Nations Sri Lanka, Ms. Sharika Cooray, Officer in Charge, UNFPA in Sri Lanka were the key dignitaries of the event.