Women in the Sri Lankan Parliament


Women have served in the Parliament of Sri Lanka since 1931, and have been represented in all successive parliaments to date. The first woman representative was Adeline Molamure, elected to the State Council, daughter of J. H. Meedeniya and wife of Alfred Francis Molamure, both State Councillors. 60 women have served in the legislature of Sri Lanka, including 13 who are currently serving, constituting over 5% of all current Members.
Women in Parliament, however small in numbers, have held high positions in Parliament and the cabinet. Two women have become Prime Minister and one has gone on to become the President of Sri Lanka. Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first female head of government on 21 July 1960, holding the post for a non-consecutive 17 years. Her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, became Sri Lanka's first modern female head of state and president.
This marked the first time that a female prime minister directly succeeded another female prime minister, and is also the first time that a nation possessed a female prime minister and a female president simultaneously.
The progress of women in Sri Lankan politics, however, has stagnated as expectations are higher for their representation in Parliament.

Number of women

Number of women in Parliament by House

Number of women in the Sri Lankan Parliament :
#LegislatureYearsin Parliament%in House%in Senate%
1stCeylonese State Council1931–193623.4%23.4%--
2ndCeylonese State Council1936–194711.7%11.7%--
3rdCeylonese Parliament1947–19521?%32.9%4?%
4thCeylonese Parliament1952–1956??%21.9%??%
5thCeylonese Parliament1956–1959??%43.9%??%
6thCeylonese Parliament1960–1960??%32.9%??%
7thCeylonese Parliament1960–1964??%32.9%??%
8thCeylonese Parliament1965–1970??%65.9%??%
9thCeylonese Parliament1970–1972??%63.8%??%
10thNational State Assembly1972–197763.6%63.6%--
11thNational State Assembly1977–1978116.5%116.5%--
12thSri Lankan Parliament1978–1988114.8%114.8%--
13thSri Lankan Parliament1989–1994135.7%135.7%--
14thSri Lankan Parliament1994–2000125.3%125.3%--
15thSri Lankan Parliament2000–200194%94%--
16thSri Lankan Parliament2001–2004104.4%104.4%--
17thSri Lankan Parliament2004–2010135.7%135.7%--
18thSri Lankan Parliament2010–2015135.7%135.7%--
19thSri Lankan Parliament2015–2020135.7%135.7%--

List of female members

This is a complete list of women who have served as members of the successive Sri Lankan Legislatures, ordered by seniority. This list includes women who served in the past and who continue to serve in the present.

Service