SJB nominates Mujibur as MP despite request to appoint a woman representative in place of Diana

• The women’s representation has declined to 10 from 11

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) nominated Mujibur Rahman in  place of Diana Gamage despite the request made by the Women  Parliamentarians Caucus (WPC) for the nomination of a woman MP and thus  the decision by the party resulted in a decline of women’s representation  in Sri Lanka Parliament.  The WPC earlier had requested the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to appoint a suitable woman to the parliamentary seat of Diana Gamage.   

In a letter to the SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma  Bandara, the WPC said while they respect the decision of the Supreme  Court, yet deeply regret losing a member of the Women Parliamentarians’  Caucus and the reduction of women’s representation in the House.   

The WPC said in the letter that women’s representation in  Parliament is crucial for effective democracy as experience, knowledge  and the forward vision of the women contribute to drafting policies that  are beneficial to all members in society. However, SJB is of the opinion  it should accommodate Mr. Rahman as he lost his seat because of the  party’s decision to field him as the mayoral candidate for the local  government election which was to be held this year and was cancelled. He  was sworn in as an MP before the Speaker last morning.   

The women’s representation has declined to 10 from 11 with  the exit of Gamage and the decision of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to  appoint Mujibur Rahman from the national list in place of Ms. Gamage.  The remaining ten women MPs in Parliament include Geetha Kumarasinghe,  Harini Amarasuriya, Kokila Gunawardene, Muditha Prishanthi, Pavithradevi  Wanniarachchi, Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Rohini Kaviratne, Rajika  Wickramasinghe, Thalatha Athukorala and Seetha Arambepola.        

In a letter to the SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma  Bandara, the WPC said while they respect the decision of the Supreme  Court, yet deeply regret losing a member of the Women Parliamentarians’  Caucus and the reduction of women’s representation in the House.   

The WPC said in the letter that women’s representation in  Parliament is crucial for effective democracy as experience, knowledge  and the forward vision of the women contribute to drafting policies that  are beneficial to all members in society. However, SJB is of the opinion  it should accommodate Mr. Rahman as he lost his seat because of the  party’s decision to field him as the mayoral candidate for the local  government election which was to be held this year and was cancelled. He  was sworn in as an MP before the Speaker last morning.   

The women’s representation has declined to 10 from 11 with  the exit of Gamage and the decision of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to  appoint Mujibur Rahman from the national list in place of Ms. Gamage.  The remaining ten women MPs in Parliament include Geetha Kumarasinghe,  Harini Amarasuriya, Kokila Gunawardene, Muditha Prishanthi, Pavithradevi  Wanniarachchi, Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Rohini Kaviratne, Rajika  Wickramasinghe, Thalatha Athukorala and Seetha Arambepola.

•  The WPC said in the letter that women’s representation in  Parliament is crucial