Gender Discrimination In Sri Lankan Politics

By Muhammed Fazl –August 22, 2015

Muhammed Fazl

“When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become President; I’m beginning to believe it now” – Clarence Darrow

Just when we thought the circus was finally over, we are proven wrong yet again. After all that talk of Yahapalanaya (good governance), when the leadership lacks the backbone to prevent drug lords such as Lanzas, ethanol kings such as Lakshman Wasanthas, Arundikas, Johnstons, operators of gambling centers and/or murders such as Thilangas, Punchi Nilames, Premalals and Kathirearachchis among others from harming the country and its people, it certainly does not signal changes to our political culture of impunity.

Apart from considering might as right, choosing legislators to the parliament in Sri Lanka is akin to selecting a bimbo in a beauty pageant after listening to her short speech about her non-existent charitable causes. Talking of which, personalities such as Geetha Kumarasinghe and Rosy Senanayake certainly do come into my mind.

Women Representation

While I am yet to understand the rationale behind allocating a certain percentage of seats for women candidates, I would appreciate if a knowledgeable person would comment with replies to the following questions/observations,

1. Should allocation of parliamentary seats be based on different sexual organs (just asking) or should we be allocating seats for competent/qualified individuals irrespective of which sex they belong to?

2. Taking into consideration previously elected female legislators such as Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sumedha Jayasena, Kanthi Kodikkara, Swarnamali (Pabha), Geetha Kumarasinghe, Kamala Ranathunga, Sunethra Ranasinghe, Rosy Senanayake, Chandrika Bandaranaike etc., can one state their significant and individual achievements to date in relation to good governance, women empowerment, children’s rights etc.? (Or, need I write another column about their negative actions?)Read More