Coordinators of Colombo District Women’s Councillors’ Caucus appointed

Text and pictures by
PRIYAN DE SILVA 

Chandrika Soysa (Sri Lanka Freedom Party), Kanthi Kodikara (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna), Renuka Senarathne (United National Party), Shiromi Indika Cooray (Samagi Jana Balavegaya) and Savithri Gunasekera (Mahajana Eksath Peramuna) were appointed coordinators of the Colombo District Women Councilors’ Caucus formed on Sunday.

All 132 female Councilors elected to the 12 Municipal, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Colombo District had been invited.

Those present were given the opportunity to discuss among themselves and nominate a representative from each political party to the council of the caucus. A ballot was held.

The two councillors, representing the SLPP, could not reach a consensus, but the issue was sorted out through the mediation of others.

SJB councillor of the Seethawaka Urban Council, Shashi Hettiarachchi, requested fellow councillors to set aside political affiliations, cast, creed and religious beliefs and unite as Sri Lankans.

The forming of women councillors’ caucuses in all 25 districts in Sri Lanka is being facilitated by the Federation of Sri Lanka Local Government Authorities (FSLGA) to encourage women to actively engage in politics and empower aspirants with essential knowledge and skills to move forward in the political arena. The project is funded by the Canadian government.