Lihini Fernando – being the change she wants to see

by Zanita Careem

Lihini Fernando does not come from a political family, neither does she have political wealth to sustain her. However, it did not deter her from pursuing her passion to be the change she yearned to see in Sri Lanka.

An attorney-at-law, Lihini believes in empowering women as an empowered woman is living statement. Meeting her offers an opportunity to be amazed at a person who has enormous energy and infectious enthusiasm.

She traces her interest in politics from her school days. “I have always been vocal about discrimination in society and the injustice caused to women and children. Heading her own legal firm- Velox Partners, with a few other lawyers, as well as being an achiever at the 2021 Women in Management Awards in which she was awarded the ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’ award for the category; Emerging Woman Politician, she also works in the family business of advertising and furniture.

What is remarkable about her is her belief that women have the capability to ‘stretch themselves’ above and beyond the status quo.

Passion for politics

Lihini also spoke on what inspired her to become a politician. Today she is a Municipal Councilor from Moratuwa. “I took up politics because of my passion for it and the passion for change,” said Lihini, emphatically quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s words- ‘be the change you wish to see in this world.’

Working with people at the grass root level and advocating social causes is indeed rewarding says Lihini. “Only honest, committed educated and capable people can change the political landscape of women in politics,” says Lihini calling for more women to take the centre stage in politics.

Specifically in Sri Lanka’s 2019 post-COVID context, the brunt of the ethnic war is borne by women who lost their loved ones across the ethnic divide, suffering debilitating loss whether psychological or economic. The real challenge for Lihini is the need to build up women for political leadership in order to foster and inculcate a capable and emphatic government. She strongly believes that women are the live wire, the decision maker, the strength of every family and hence they have the potential to be a decisive factor in decision making be in politics or the corporate sector.

Lihini is confident that Sri Lanka can address gender related issues. Women make up more than half of the population and in terms of eligible voters they lead men at 56% and outnumber males at Universities at 54%. Despite these impressive statistics, the representation of women in the active labour force is just 35%, reflecting the disappointing scale of gender inequality and discrimination against women, laments the young social and political advocate.

“There is very little done to address the wide discrimination against women or to provide them protection and empower them to be equal partners in the country’s growth and progress,” reflected Lihini emphasizing that women can support any decision-making role in the country and can even change dynamics of politics as well if given a chance.

As to why female representation in the economy and even politics is low, she responded: “the main reasons for that is the conventional stereo typical roles assigned and imposed on women as wives and mothers. We take pride in having the first woman Prime Minister in the world but our society still assigns separate roles for women and men and hence place severe constraints. We need to be encouraging and supporting, so women do not feel intimidated by politics perpetuated by the ruling class. There is nothing better than to see more women representation in Parliament. Sri Lanka still has hope. People can and must eradicate corrupt officials and hold leaders to account. Your right is not limited to a vote,” remarked Lihini in conclusion.