Women representating many political parties came together co-ordinated by the Women and Media Collective with one voice - to increase the number of womens representation at local, provincial and national levels and to have at least two women from each district in any political party’s nominations for the April 8 Parliamentary elections.

About 18 womens organisations in the country from even the North and East, came under one banner yesterday at Hotel Renuka, to voice out that there must be more women actively involved in politics and nominated for elections.

Western Provincial Councillor, Asoka Lankatilleke, said that there were 52 per cent of women in the country and 56 per cent voters. She requested all parties to give nominations to more women, who are successful in many spheres and with a proven track record. She said: Give at least one preferential vote for a woman.

Shanthini Satchithanandan, leader of the newly formed People’s Rights Party (formed in the North/East), said that women are in the forefront of community work, and 56 per cent of graduates who pass out from universities are women. She said: They should be in the political scene and I humbly appeal to change the political culture in this country and bring in women who have worked for the party and not parachutists.

Rosie Senanayake (Leader of the Opposition, Western Provincial Council), too requested at least one preferential vote for a woman and for two women to contest from each district from a party.

Shanthini Kongahage of the Central Provincial Council, echoed the same sentiments and wanted more women to be represented from Pradeshiya Sabha level.

It was revealed that only six per cent of women are in Parliament compared to 94 per cent of men, while at Provincial level, only two per cent was women compared to 98 per cent men.

Among the others who spoke were Upulangani Malagamuwa from Kurunegala, Chandrika de Soysa from the Maharagama Municipal Council and Selma Hansa representating the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.

Viola Perera was the moderator, while Kumudini Samuel (Joint Director, Women and Media Collective) gave the introductory speach.