COLOMBO :In a request made to the Lankan president women activists and women organizations have urged Lankan President to nominate 50% women candidates for upcoming general elections .
The letter states: “ Anura Kumara Dissanayake,President of Sri LankaDear President Dissanayake, On behalf of the signatories below, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on your election as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka. We applaud the trend set by the NPP, other political parties and Election Commission for free, fair, and peaceful elections. We appreciate the simplicity adopted by the NPP in its post-election endeavors, particularly avoiding extravagant victory celebrations or humiliating competitors.
We commend your party for appointing Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as Prime Minister. This significant milestone marks her as the third woman to hold this esteemed position in Sri Lanka’s history, breaking the notion that South Asian women enter politics solely through family dynasties. Dr. Amarasuriya is an inspiration, demonstrating that running for higher office is possible for all of us. Her leadership brings hope for access to justice, equality, and inclusive governance, paving the way for a brighter future for all. We hope her prominent leadership role extends beyond the caretaker government,
continuing even after the parliamentary elections.
Furthermore, we believe that your achievements will inspire countless young women and men across the nation from all communities, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with confidence. In this
context, we request that you consider involving as many women as possible in politics as you work towards establishing a new political culture free from corruption, patronage, and violence, while
promoting inclusivity. With the parliamentary elections scheduled to be held on 14 November, we are anticipating to see a strong example set under your leadership by nominating at least 50% women for parliamentary seats and leadership positions, including within party structures
where women participate in decision making as organizers and spokespersons.
We acknowledge the immense challenges ahead in realizing the economic, political, and social reforms that the people of Sri Lanka seek and voted for. However, without the full participation of half the population in decision-making processes, these reforms may fall short of their potential impact.
The ongoing economic crisis, coupled with deep-rooted corruption, has fostered a strong demand for systemic change. Central to this transformation is the equal involvement of women in governance and
legislative processes. Yet, traditional barriers and conflict-related disparities continue to prevent many women, particularly those from minority communities, from entering politics.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has long been a champion of these issues, and we are hopeful that, with her support, you can lay the foundation for greater representation aiming for over 50% of decision making roles in government to be held by women as a starting point.
We respectfully highlight the importance of the two significant upcoming elections and urge you to prioritize local and provincial elections as soon as possible. This aligns with your manifesto, particularly in terms of equitable treatment of minorities, empowering them to manage their resources, and establishing the accountability frameworks they have been seeking for over 15 years.”
