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NPP’s Lakmali Hemachandra calls out biases against women in politics, urges media reform
Lakmali Hemachandra of the National People’s Power (NPP) has expressed concerns over the deep-seated biases within political parties that view women as liabilities rather than capable leaders. Speaking at an event titled ‘Improving Media Engagement with Women in Politics in Sri Lanka’ in Colombo, Hemachandra highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by women in the political arena, including fundraising difficulties and negative media portrayals.
“Women are not considered important or capable of holding power. That is evident when you look at the recent political landscape,” she said, pointing to the systemic barriers that hinder women’s political participation. She also emphasized the detrimental role the media plays in perpetuating these biases, noting, “The way the media represents women in politics is often damaging. Sometimes, it’s even deliberate. This discourages aspiring female politicians, and the media needs to rethink its role.”
Despite these barriers, Hemachandra acknowledged some progress, stating, “There are more women in Parliament now, and they are speaking up. That’s a good sign.” Her comments reflect a cautious optimism about the slow but steady rise of female representation in Sri Lankan politics.
The event, held recently in Colombo, was organized by South Asian Women in Media – Sri Lanka (SAWM-SL), in collaboration with the Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA), The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka (TEGSL), and the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), in observance of International Women’s Day 2025.
During the event, human rights lawyer Swasthika Arulingam also addressed the exclusion of women from political processes. Arulingam pointed out that many political parties still neglect women during campaigns, citing a protest at the Election Commission where women raised a symbolic shoe to call attention to the failure of electoral mechanisms in safeguarding women’s rights.
“The female representation quota is a good step because it has given opportunities to women,” Arulingam noted. “But the problem is that some parties recruit women just to meet this requirement, not because they genuinely believe in their capabilities.”
Arulingam stressed the importance of public engagement and the creation of strong support systems to protect women from harassment in politics. “We can create as many laws as we want, but unless there’s real protection against harassment and abuse, women will continue to struggle in political spaces,” she said.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is
overhead today (05) are Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was yesterday remanded until September 18 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an investigation into the controversial SriLankan Airlines Airbus aircraft transaction.
Rajapaksa appeared before the CIABOC at around 9.15 am yesterday to record a statement after being summoned over the transaction. He was taken into custody following several hours of questioning and subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate.
The investigation centres on allegations surrounding the acquisition of six Airbus A330 and eight A350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013, in connection with an alleged USD 2 million bribe.
Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, had previously been named in connection with the alleged bribery.
Chandrasena was arrested on March 12 as part of an investigation launched by the CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act and was subsequently released on bail. He was later found dead on May 8 while on bail, with police suspecting that his death was a suicide.
Open warrants have been issued for the arrest of Wijenayake, who is named as the second suspect, and Shamindra Rajapaksa, named as the third suspect, in the case pending before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Airbus transaction.
The investigation has also received assistance from Airbus, with a delegation from the company’s parent group in France visiting Sri Lanka during the first week of August. The delegation provided statements and other assistance to the CIABOC as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Rajapaksa’s arrest and remand yesterday mark a further development in the widening investigation into the controversial aircraft deal.
The number of dengue cases reported in Sri Lanka this year has risen to 96,040, with 72 deaths recorded so far, according to the National Dengue Control Unit.
The Unit said 10,155 cases were reported in August alone, highlighting the continuing spread of the disease across several parts of the country.
The Western Province has recorded the highest number of cases at 50,760, followed by the Southern Province with 13,931, the Central Province with 8,788 and the Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,910.
At district level, Gampaha has reported the highest number of cases at 20,444, followed by Colombo with 19,008.
Kandy has recorded 7,043 cases, while Kalutara and Matara have reported 6,181 and 6,154 cases,a respectively.
The National Dengue Control Unit said 50 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas across the country have been identified as high-risk areas for dengue.
Health authorities have continued to urge the public to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding, particularly in areas where a high incidence of dengue has been reported.
Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Uva, Central and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaittivu districts after 2.00 p.m
Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation
Dengue cases surpass 96,000 this year
PM Harini, Bhutan King explore closer ties
Johnston granted bail following CIABOC arrest
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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