List system to ensure sufficient women, youth representation in Parliament: President

While stressing that neither the preferential voting system nor a mixed system can ensure sufficient women and youth representation in Parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe today proposed a list system to fulfil the need.

“We should have a list of around 70 members which is compiled according to certain criteria where the number of women and youth members that should be appointed to the House can be decided upon.We can also ensure that members with a certain education level come to Parliament under such a list system,” the President told the House.

“Parliament should discuss and agree upon a system soon. We will have to go to the people in the country directly if no agreement is reached by the legislature,” he added.

“There were only 2% women representation on the state council in the 1930s, while the women representation in Parliament today is little more than 5%. Also it is high time that women are appointed to the boards of directors to the companies where there are large contingent of female employees such as in the apparel industries and plantation companies,” he said.

The President said legislation will be introduced to set up a national women’s commission, and an Ombudswoman (or women Ombudsman) to look into the issues of women.

He also stressed for new legislations to safeguard child affairs and a new education system which comprises a non-state education system which comprises non-profit motivated institutions. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)