National List: Call for 50% allocation to women

On Jun 25, 2021

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has decided to propose several measures to increase the representation of females in the electoral and the State administration process including a request to add to the electoral rules that all political parties allocate 50 per cent of their National List to women.

“It was decided at the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to submit a proposal in writing to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Election Law Reforms in order to ensure 30% -70% representation of women at the Parliamentary and Provincial levels within the existing electoral structure of the country,” the Parliament Communication Division said.

In addition, it was also decided to propose to ensure that the 25% quota of votes at the Local Government level remains unchanged and to add to the electoral rules that all political parties allocate 50% of the National List to women.

These suggestions were proposed at the meeting held by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus chaired by State Minister (Dr) Sudarshani Fernandopulle on June 22.

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus also discussed proposals to increase the representation of women in all commissions and boards, as well as to provide leadership positions, committee positions, executive positions and committee membership within the hierarchy of the main party structure.

Enactment of adequate Legislation to reduce election violence, the imperativeness of all female Parliamentarians declaring their assets and liabilities annually, providing women with a definite number of nominations if they wish to change the old preference system were also discussed in detail at this meeting.

It was decided to further discuss with regard to the proposals made by the female Parliamentarians and referred to the PSC on Election Law Reforms chaired by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

State Minister (Dr.) (Mrs.) Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Members of Parliament Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, Geetha Kumarasinghe, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Manjula Dissanayake, Muditha Prashanthi, were present at the meeting.