Record Number of Women Elected to Sri Lankan Parliament

A total of 21 women have been elected to the House of Representatives, surpassing previous records. A majority of these newly elected women MPs belong to the National People’s Power (NPP), with prominent names such as Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Hemali Sujeeva, and Nilanthi Kottahachige among the list of successful candidates.

Other notable women MPs representing the NPP include Oshani Umanga, Thushari Jayasinghe, Anushka Tillakaratne, Krishnan Kalaichelvi, Hazara Liyanage, Saroja Paulraj, Muthu Ratwattage, Geetha Herath, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Ambika Samuvel, Chaturi Gangani, Nilusha Gamage, Sagarika Atauda, and Deepti Vasalage.

In addition, two women, Rohini Kaviratne and Chamindrani Kiriella, were elected under the banner of the Samagi Jana Balawega (SJB), further contributing to the growing number of female political figures in Sri Lanka.

This historic outcome highlights the increasing participation of women in Sri Lanka’s political process and reflects the changing dynamics of the country's political institutions. With women now holding a more substantial presence in the Sri Lankan Parliament, many hope this will lead to stronger representation and a greater focus on issues affecting women and marginalized communities.

The 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka is poised for a more diverse and inclusive future, as these newly elected women MPs bring fresh perspectives and leadership to the legislative body.