Women and youth representation in Parliament President Wickremesinghe proposes a list system

• A list of around 70 members should be compiled according to certain criteria 
• It should be ensured that members with a certain education level come to Parliament under this system

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

While stressing that neither the preferential vote system nor a mixed system can ensure sufficient women and youth representation in Parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday proposed a list system to fulfill the need.  

“We should have a list of around 70 members which is compiled according to certain criteria where the number of women and youth members that should be appointed to the House can be decided upon. We can also ensure that members with a certain education level come to Parliament under such a list system,” the President informed the House.  

“Parliament should discuss and agree upon a system soon. We will have to go to the people in the country directly if no agreement is reached by the legislature,” he added.   “There were only 2 percent women representation on the state council in the 1930s while the women representation in Parliament yesterday is little more than 5 percent. Also it is high time that women are appointed to the boards of directors to the companies where there are large numbers of women employees such as apparel producing companies and plantation companies,” he said.  
The President said legislation will be introduced to set up a national women’s commission, and an ombudswoman (female Ombudsman) to look into the issues of women.  He also stressed the need for new legislations to safeguard child affairs and the introduction of a non-state education system comprising of non-profit motivated institutions.