The International Women's Day which fell on March 8th, 2006 was commemorated very productively by the Gemidiriya villagers. Participants from pilot villages, first batch villages and even second batch villages actively engaged themselves in a variety of programs. A striking feature was the high level of participation by women and youth. Some 75000 women contributed to these programs in numerous ways. Participation even of non members of Gemidiriya and residents of the surrounding villages has to be greatly appreciated.

All the Gemidiriya villages had their own specific programs. The following were the most prominent.


1. Health Programs.
A special awareness program on women's health and child health was conducted in consultation with the Public Health Office in Degampotha, Hambantota.District.

Under the last mentioned, a widespread campaign was launched at Helayalkumbura to collect discarded bottles, particularly pesticide bottles, plasticware, polythene and other non organic material. The primary objective was to clean the environment. But that was not all. The exercise realized a financial benefit as well. Bottles were ground and crushed and the pieces of glass were sold. Some 8000 kilos sold at Rs. 3/= brought in Rs 24000. The price itself was a victory for the community, as the earlier price was Rs.1.00 per kilo. Sale of discarded metal netted in Rs. 15,000. The proceeds were credited to savings accounts of the participants.