Life style

Politics is still dominated by men in Sri Lanka

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/1

By Zanita Careem

Women in Sri Lankan politics have come a long way, but they still face many challenges. From early pioneers who broke barriers to modern leaders making strides, the journey has been both inspiring and difficult. Despite laws and policies aimed at promoting gender equality, societal norms and structural issues continues to hinder women’s full participation in politics. Although Sri Lanka elected the world’s first female PM in 1960, over six decades later, the country’s political arena continues to be male dominated. Women represent over 52% of the country’s population yet men continue to play a dominant role, in the national legislature while globally there is increased legislators and diversity in politics, Sri Lanka too needs to welcome more women in leadership and political spaces to break political bias. This is the only way to ensure inclusivity, equality and genuine democracy.

In an interview with Dr. Deepika Udagama, Sri Lanka Professor of Law at the University of Peradeniya, she said women in politics are essential for representative governance. However while global statistics for female representation in governments worldwide continues to improve, equal participation of women in Sri Lanka is still a far fetched goal. Here are excerpts of the interview.

We received the right to vote in 1931, gave the world its first woman PM. Sri Lanka still remains hopelessly behind in terms of equal representation of women in politics both local and at national level? Your opinion

First, let’s recognize that women’s political representation is essential not just as an end but as a means to an end. Women’s increased participation in politics is required for women to be heard at various policy-making levels so that their issues and concerns and lived realities are factored into decision-making.

Dr.Deepika Udagama, Professor of Law at University of Peradeniya. She served previously as the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission

It is encouraging to observe a surge in the number of women elected to parliament at the recent General Election. My understanding is that 21 women have been elected to Parliament (19 from NPP and 02 from SJB), and there may be a few more named in the National Lists. However, the numbers are still very insignificant given that women constitute nearly 52% of the national population and form the bulk of the voters. One could also observe the large numbers of women enthusiastically participating in election rallies in recent months. Who can forget the dynamic role played by women in the Aragalaya? However, it appears that women are eventually counted on for their votes, not so much for the contribution they can make as political representatives to national development.

It’s no secret that there wasn’t a single female candidate at the recent Presidential Election as well. We also know that there have been very few women parliamentarians appointed as cabinet ministers in the past. Despite the recent increase in the number of elected women MPs, the current cabinet too has only two women, including the Prime Minister. It is very disappointing to note that there isn’t a single woman among the Deputy Ministers.

It is also observed that, women cabinet ministers in Sri Lanka have yet to be assigned portfolios that are conventionally considered to be ‘important’ such as finance, defense and foreign affairs although our South Asian neighbors have made those advances. I do believe that after President Kumaratunga this is the first time a female minister is in charge of education. Such marginalization is a travesty, especially in a country which boasts around 92% female literacy and over 60% female students in public universities.

In the past few Parliaments of Sri Lanka, women’s representation hovered around 5.3%. Now it may go up to perhaps 10%-12% depending on the number of women coming in through the national lists of parties. Compare that with the present 33.1% female MPs in Nepal and 20% in Bangladesh. These are Inter-Parliamentary Union data. Of a total of 183 countries ranked as at October, 2024 , Sri Lanka stood at 175. The number 1 ranking was awarded to Rwanda with 63.8% female members of Parliament. Our ranking may go up slightly now, but as I said, in the larger scheme of gender equality in the country even the improved numbers make only an insignificant difference. However, we must build on recent gains and the 25% quota for women’s representation at the local government level introduced in 2016. We must seek quotas for parliament and provincial councils.

Challenges women face especially in the male political culture with deeply rooted social and cultural biases still exists. Do these obstacles for greater representation still persists? Your comments

Yes, of course they do. Public life is still very much a male bastion in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. We understand that gender played a role at the recent US Presidential Election where a sizeable segment of voters believed that they are still not ready for a female president. That’s due to socio-cultural factors. Some countries have, through national conversations on gender equality and with the intervention of inspiring political leaders and proactive civil society, made greater strides than others. African countries such as Rwanda and South Africa are examples.

Turning to Sri Lanka, one primary observation is that the high level of literacy among women has not necessarily translated into improving women’s empowerment in a socio-political sense. It’s almost a given fact that politics is still dominated by men. Even at the level of university student politics women are terribly marginalized. There’s yet to be a female president of a university student union or the IUSF. Patriarchy in the political party system is very much alive and well. Is there a single political party in Sri Lanka presently headed by a woman? A political party of which the General Secretary is a woman?

In contrast, who can forget the dynamic role played by large numbers of women in the Aragalaya? But come election time and party politics, that electrifying gender dynamic has not got translated into the massive shift in women’s political representation one could have reasonably expected. There’s been an improvement of course, but not a radical shift where all or most political parties felt compelled to nominate at least 1/3 of women in their nomination lists. So yes, male domination of politics and political parties is deeply structural brought on by our socio-cultural value base. At a broader level, I believe that educational reforms that focus on personality development and increase our democratic and civic consciousness is a key factor to changing these unacceptable realities aside from advocating for quotas for women in Parliament and Provincial Councils, and yes, in trade unions and student councils etc.

I feel the male model of politics and lack of internal democracy within political parties, may be some of the reasons? Your opinion

Correct. The Conventional model of politics is very male oriented. It is extremely confrontational, reliant on violence (physical, verbal, discriminatory etc.) and massive funding (whether legal or illegal) and encourages patron/client relations. A gentler and cleaner model of politics would certainly encourage female candidates. The past two elections were peaceful and dignified, so there’s future hope.

However, the questionable level of internal party democracy definitely contributes to the challenges women in politics face. Centralized party hierarchies (usually male centric) decide on all important matters including nominations, distribution of election funding, policies, strategies and so on without much consultation with rank and file. If a party does not have a strong women’s wing, women do not have much of a say in the internal decision-making. Any opportunities that come in the way of female members are viewed as concessions, not as entitlements. In Sri Lanka leadership is very personality-based and tends to be monolithic. I have always advocated constitutional or legal regulation of internal party democracy. There must be rules on non-discrimination and inclusivity within parties. How can political parties with authoritarian, non-inclusive hierarchies bring about democracy in a country?

Women make up more than half the voters but not a single women contest for Presidential elections. Financial constraints can be one of the causes for women not to take part in politics. Your opinion?

There are many forms of violence on women, psychological, sexual, physical and economic. Do these obstacles impede political participation?

. Gender equality was mentioned at the conference in Beijing in 1995 Do we follow these highlights and has Sri Lanka taken seriously these clauses? Are there any structural obstacles holding it back?

Women politicians around the world face more or less the same types of challenges, but to varying degrees. Use of violence as a political strategy always discourages women. There was a time in Sri Lanka when any politician who wanted to be ‘successful’ would have to possess a squadron of political goons. A few women became violent politicians, but others just gave up the idea of being active politicians. Hopefully, those are abominations of the past that will no longer be tolerated.

The most potent threat against women in politics is sexual vilification. It is cowardly, but in a conservative society such demeaning tactics work. It breaks the spirit of women. We’ve seen how women parliamentarians participating in debates were vilified by fellow parliamentarians in the recent past. One cannot recall formal action being taken against the miscreants. I note though that the current generation of women politicians is made of tougher metal. They will not give in or be defeated easily. However, the structural dimensions of political parties need a lot of work to achieve gender parity in politics.

Can you mention some of the steps taken by the former governments to rectify the shortcomings, have by any chance women have benefited ?

Introduction of quotas is the main method used to increase female political representation. Quotas can be introduced either at the level of nominations by parties or by reserving seats in elected bodies. The ‘Yahapalanaya’ government introduced a 25% quota for women in local government bodies. India introduced a 1/3 quota for women in the lower house of parliament and state legislative assemblies last year. A few decades ago India introduced a 1/3 quota for women in village councils (Panchayats) that has proved to be very successful. Rwanda which has the highest percentage of women in parliament at present also has adopted quotas. Around 138 countries have adopted gender quotas to increase women’s political representation.

Of course, much more needs to be done than adopt quotas. Civil society and the media should create a strong enabling environment for women to enjoy and advocate rights. Political education of women must reach a point where women actively shame and boycott political parties that marginalize women’s participation. The education system of the country must focus on creating a strong human rights ethos which includes sensitivity to non-discrimination including on the bases of sex and gender. Gender studies must be integrated into all disciplines than being confined to social sciences and humanities. Education must focus on personality development and make extra effort to strengthen women’s life experiences. Overall, the quality of women’s education must improve. Pressure must be put on political parties to create enabling environments that encourage women’s participation in politics including proactive recruitment and nurturing of young women community workers and political activists to take up active politics, political education programs for women and ensuring the inclusion of women in all decision-making bodies of parties.

One hopes that the Speaker and party leaders will create an enabling environment for women MPs to actively contribute to parliamentary affairs and punish any miscreants who belittle them. I do believe that the new women MPs are strong and smart enough to assert themselves and shout down and shame bullies and detractors. The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus should be more active and vocal on women’s issues and encourage more women to join their ranks. Much needs to be done to create a decent society where all have equal opportunities whatever one’s gender.

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Life style

From 1906 to today: Nestle’s 120-year journey in Sri Lanka

Published

6 days ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

Bernie Stefan - proud of Nestle’s 120 years jouney

Bernie Stefan is the Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka Limited, overseeing Nestlé’s operations in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He assumed this role in March 2023. Under his leadership, Nestlé has strengthened its footprint in Sri Lanka, touching individuals and families, communities and spearheading sustainable development.

Since taking charge in 2023, Stefan has brought with him over two decades of international experiences, steering the company with a clear focus on sustainability, innovation and long term growth.

Bernie describes the anniversary as a moment of pride and reflection on over a century of commitment to Sri Lanka and its people.

Under his leadership, Nestle has expanded its footprint while staying true to its mission: to improve lives by providing nutrition and wellness for all Sri Lankans. Beyond the commercial success, the company has focused on community impact – supporting local farmers. promoting sustainable practices and contributing to public health initiatives.

(Q) Nestlé has been part of Sri Lankan homes for 120 years. How has the brand evolved alongside the changing lifestyles of Sri Lankan families?

(A) We at Nestlé are extremely proud of our 120 year journey of enriching Sri Lankan lives. It has been a journey guided by purpose and working together for good – touching individuals and families, the community, and the planet. As lifestyles and needs have evolved, so, too, have our products – offering convenient, tasty and nutritious solutions that meet everyday moments, whether it’s energy on the go or a quick and tasty meal. A true symbol of this legacy is our flagship brand, Nestomalt – synonymous with power, strength and energy – which today is enjoyed as the first cup of the day by a majority of Sri Lankan households.

(Q) Many Sri Lankans have grown up with Nestlé products at their breakfast table or during tea time. How does the company stay emotionally connected with generations of consumers?

(A) Our product range caters to the nutritional needs of consumers from birth to old age. We always ensure that the consumer is at the centre of everything we do. This deep understanding of consumer preferences, ensures not only that our products deliver taste and nutrition but also our communication is in tune to the local context. Our brands have been deeply rooted in the lives of the Sri Lankan community over many decades – be it through Milo school sports programmes or Nestomalt marathons. Being an organisation that has been present in Sri Lanka for such a long time, it also means that consumers hold many nostalgic memories from their childhood with our products.

(Q) From childhood treats to everyday beverages, Nestlé products often carry nostalgic memories. How important is this sense of nostalgia to the brand’s identity?

(A) Brands need to evolve with time and remain relevant. Nostalgia does bring a deep bond and connect with consumers. However, through product and packaging renovations, we have successfully ensured that our brands remain relevant to consumers. One of our oldest Nestlé brands in Sri Lanka, Milkmaid , today, has an online recipe platform with over 300 recipes. This is another example where we have ensured that our brands are able to connect with today’s consumers.

(Q) Has Nestlé adapted its products to suit modern lifestyles while still respecting local tastes?

(A) Our ability to cater to local taste preferences has been a crucial factor to the success of our brands. With the setting up of our local manufacturing operations in 1984, we now manufacture over 90% of Nestlé products sold locally. The deep consumer understanding our teams possess, combined with our global R&D expertise in the food and beverage sector, have given us the ability to tailor make our products to cater to the Sri Lankan taste palette while offering convenience. This is evident in the success of our Nescafe and Nestea 3-in-1 variants and the Ready-to-drink beverage range of Milo and Nescafe, that deliver convenience and great taste.

(Q) How is Nestlé aligning its practices to sustainability and mindful living?

(A) We are committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Promoting circularity is also a focus area in this journey. We have plans to be 100% plastic neutral this year. Our sustainability initiatives cover the entire value chain, from farm to fork. In Sri Lanka, we are focusing a lot on increasing yield and promoting regenerative agricultural practices across our dairy and coconut value chains. In our manufacturing operations, we have continuously striving towards reducing water and energy usage. We have also implemented numerous initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint in logistics, such as the adoption of rail transportation. We also focus on fostering behavioural change on responsible waste disposal amongst the youth through our School Waste Management Programme.

(Q) What moments or milestones best reflect its connection with everyday life in the country?

(A) Our ability to provide consumers with good food moments each and every day is something that I and the team are extremely passionate about. Also, the deep connect we have with the community, be it our dairy and coconut farmers, the numerous suppliers and trade partners, has been built on trust over the years. Today, we have farmers, suppliers and even employees from across generations and this speaks volumes about our business practices and the trust we have built in Sri Lanka for over a century.

(Q) Nestlé is known globally for innovation. How do you balance global expertise with the unique lifestyle and culinary culture of Sri Lanka?

(A) As I mentioned, understanding the taste palette, nutritional needs and the lifestyles of Sri Lankan consumers and ensuring our products fulfill these needs is key. Having access to one of the world’s leading R&D facilities gives us the unique ability to ensure our products deliver to these consumer needs and preferences. Further, it enhances our ability to ensure the freshness and bio-availability of certain nutrients contained in our products. We’ve also made significant strides in packaging innovation, where we use less plastic and materials that are better suited for recycling. The introduction of Coconut Milk Powder in 1986 was a first for Sri Lanka, and this is another great example of the deep understanding we have of local culinary culture.

(Q) How is the younger generation engaged with the brand today?

(A) Appealing to the discerning youth population will be key to ensuring the future success of our brands. Understanding the nuances of each generation is important. It is also evident that consumption patterns and lifestyles across generations are evolving rapidly. Staying abreast of these changes is something we are deeply committed to. In addition to delivering on taste and nutrition, being trendy and youthful – the purpose for which our brands stand for – is equally important. NESCAFÉ and MAGGI PAPARE BLAST are two brands that have developed a strong connect with Sri Lankan youth.

(Q) What vision do you have for the next chapter in Sri Lanka, especially in shaping lifestyle trends?

(A) Looking ahead, our vision is to continue enriching Sri Lankan lives by providing tasty and nutritious products and promoting healthier and active lifestyles. We will keep innovating to meet evolving consumer needs, while strengthening local sourcing and reducing our environmental impact. The next chapter is about deepening our positive impact – supporting communities, empowering youth and contributing to a resilient food system.

(Q) As the head of Nestlé Sri Lanka, what does celebrating 120 years personally mean to you?

(A) Celebrating 120 years in Sri Lanka is deeply meaningful to us, as it reflects the trust generations of Sri Lankan families have placed in Nestlé. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our people and the strong partnerships we have built across the country. For me personally, it is both a moment of pride and a responsibility – to honour this legacy while continuing to work together for good, doing what is right for our consumers, our communities, and Sri Lanka.

By Zanita Careem

Life style

A hat-trick for knowledge: Saranga’s triple triumph at Raigam Tele’es

Published

6 days ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

K.C. Saranga

At a time when entertainment often overshadows education on television, K.C. Saranga has rewritten the script—securing a remarkable third consecutive win for Best Educational Programme at the Raigam Tele’es 2025.

His flagship programme, Jeevithayata Vidyawa (Science for Life), aired on Ada Derana, has not only dominated its category but also elevated the standards of educational broadcasting in Sri Lanka.

Reflecting on the milestone, Saranga described the win as more than a personal achievement. “Maintaining an award ceremony of this magnitude for 22 years is no small feat. Raigam Tele’es plays a pivotal role in uplifting the industry. By consistently recognising and rewarding Sri Lankan creators, it provides the necessary oxygen for television to evolve as a professional craft,” he said.

A veteran with over 25 years in the industry, Saranga—currently General Manager (News and Current Affairs) at TV Derana and Head of the Ada Derana News Channel—has seamlessly transitioned from hard news to impactful educational programming. His success underscores a broader vision: to harness television’s full potential as an audio-visual learning tool.

“There is a significant void in Sri Lankan television when it comes to high-quality educational productions,” he noted. “Television is an audio-visual medium; its true power lies in its ability to show, not just tell. We use multimedia elements—graphics, animation, and dynamic presentation—to grip the viewer’s attention.”

Saranga emphasised that his goal was to match global benchmarks. “If world-class science documentaries are available in English, our mission was to bring that same global standard to the Sinhala-speaking audience,” he said.

Through Jeevithayata Vidyawa, complex scientific concepts—from aerodynamics to cyclones—are presented in a manner that is both accessible and engaging, redefining the notion of “edutainment” in local television.

Expressing gratitude, Saranga credited his team and network for the continued success.

“This achievement is a result of a shared vision. My deepest gratitude goes to the management of Ada Derana. In an industry often driven by conventional ratings, they have consistently provided a sanctuary for creative freedom, allowing ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas to flourish,” he said.

He added: “To my incredible production team—this trophy belongs to you. Your technical skill and commitment have transformed simple ideas into a national standard. Finally, thank you to our viewers; your curiosity is our ultimate motivation. We will continue to prove that learning is an inspiring journey.”

Saranga’s hat-trick stands as a testament to the power of innovation in educational broadcasting—proving that knowledge, when presented with creativity and purpose, can captivate audiences just as effectively as mainstream entertainment.

By Ifham Nizam

Life style

‘Style Surge’ blends glamour with a cause

Published

6 days ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

Lighting up the evening with effortless charm

The event “Style Surge,” organised by the Lions Club Elevate, was an evening filled with glamour, leadership and purpose collided in a spectacular fusion. The grand Ballroom at Galle Face Hotel became a canvas of fashion; every detail, from the floral centrepiece to the curated lighting, whispered elegance, while glamour set the stage, purpose was the back bone.

The show featured a curated selection of Sri Lankan designers, each bringing their signature styles to the stage.

The designers captivated the audience with bold, contemporary silhouettes that fused modern trends with traditional influence, creating pieces that were both sophisticated and wearable.

The batik ensembles by doyen of Batiks, Eric Suriyasena, were masterpieces, demonstrating the designer’s mastery in balancing artistry and practicality. Each piece told a story, highlighting the cultural nuances of Sri Lanka, while contributing to the glamour of the event.

The hair and make up for the models were curated by Salon Avra by Thushari de Silva and was nothing short of perfection,

From sleek, modern looks to elegant textured styles, Salon Avra ensured every model complemented the designer’s vision, highlighting the intricate details of each ensemble. The artistry on stage reflected a seamless collaboration between fashion beauty and presentation.

Style Surge unfolded an evening of elegance, creativity and purpose. It brought together Colombo style conscious crowd, social leaders and fashion enthusiasts and transformed the venue into a vibrant celebration of couture and compassion.

As the lights dimmed,the runaway came alive with a striking showcase of designs, ranging from contemporary chic to timeless sophistication, by designers like Eric Suriyasena, Anushko, Azeena Sulaiman and Jaywanthi Panibharatha. Leading fashion brands showcased were Aluminium, Disala, Eriq and Elegant Closet, and they presented a blend of contemporary and traditional fashion. Jewellery for the show was designed and sponsored by Blue Majestara Ceylon, . The Chief Guest was District Governor Lion Mahesh Borolugoda and his wife Lion Lady Sunethra Borolugoda.

Beyond glamour, this event, Style Surge, carried a meaningful mission to help rennovate two schools and improve educational facilities for future students

Lions Club of Colombo Elevate district 306D6, the organisers of this event, have been long synonymous with community development .The event underscores the power of fashion as a force of good.

Proceeds and awareness generated though the evening will be directed towards the clubs ongoing humanitarian initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to uplifting communities while engaging the public in an inspiring way.

In every sense, the event was more than a fashion show, it was a statement. This event reaffirms that glamour can also carry a purpose, creativity can spark compassion, and a runaway that can become a powerful platform for social change. This fashion show was graced by distinguished guests of honour , including designers Aseka Wijewardena, Michael Wijesuriya, Yolande Aluwihare, and Shyara Mendis

This event was organised by Lion Diana Nilanthi, Shen, Lion Thushari de Silva and Lion Shashika Hettiarachchi, whose commitment to creativity and attention to detail transformed the event into a truly memorable evening. They were the driving force that brought the vision of the show to life. Their meticulous planning, conceptualising the theme, coordinating the designers ensured the show ran seamlessly, from start to finish Pix by Thushara Attapathu

By Zanita Careem