News
Woman researcher sees persistent underrepresentation of women in politics despite increased representation in Parliament
Dr. Chulani Kodikara, researcher at the Social Scientists’ Association and Co-Editor of Polity (SSA Magazine) says that even though representation of women in Parliament increased there is persistent underrepresentation of women in politics.
Representation of women in formal political institutions remains low when compared with other countries in South Asia, Dr. Kodikara said delivering the opening remarks at a recent half-day event titled ‘Improving media engagement with women in politics in Sri Lanka’, aimed at improving media engagement with women in politics.
The event was jointly organised by the 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 Colombo.
“Given that representation of women in Parliament has stagnated at around 5% (or more) for more than 40 years, and that the NPP was able to increase representation in Parliament, without any kind of quota or reservation, is really an achievement that we need to recognise and applaud. We have to also celebrate that for the first time in our history two women from the Malaiyaha Tamil community were elected to Parliament in 2024.”
Juxtapose this increase in women’s representation in Parliament to the dramatic increase in women’s representation in local government from 2% to 25% following the implementation of a quota for women introduced in 2016, she said it was achieved after a very long struggle waged not by party women, but by women’s organisations in Sri Lanka.
However, even as these gains are celebrated, she said much more needs to be done in terms of increasing the numerical representation of women in politics, noting that even though the number of women in Parliament has increased substantially, women continue to be underrepresented in the Cabinet.
She also noted that women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions within party structures across all mainstream political parties in Sri Lanka.
Emphasising the media’s role in shaping narratives around women in politics, she said research indicates that female politicians receive less media coverage and are often portrayed in gendered, sexualised, or stereotyped terms. She also noted that the media tends to reinforce traditional gender norms, positioning women within the domestic sphere while aligning men with political leadership.
“The media are also less open to the concerns and achievements of women politicians than to those of their male counterparts,” she said, adding that the rise of social media has exacerbated harassment and hate speech against women politicians, posing a significant barrier to their participation in public life.
The Sri Lanka Navy rescued a fisherman from a local fishing trawler that encountered distress due to adverse weather conditions off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The rescue operation took place on 17 July 2026, approximately 15 nautical miles off Pothuvil. The operation was launched following information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo.
In response, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed the Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Vijayabahu along with additional craft to conduct a search operation in the designated sea area, where they successfully located the distressed fisherman.
Following the rescue, the individual was brought aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where naval personnel administered preliminary first aid. He was subsequently brought to the mainland and rushed for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Navy, along with the coordination of MRCC Colombo, remains constantly prepared to swiftly respond to the eventualities faced by maritime and fishing communities operating within the island’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
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