Beyond Victims #2025 - Sri Lanka Edition
- CGAP South Asia
- Oct 30
- 3 min read
Our first edition of the 2025 Beyond Victims Series brings you stories of inspiring women political leaders from Sri Lanka.
Dive in to read stories of Ambika Samuel, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Krishnan Kalaichelivi, Deepthi Wasalage and Chathuri Gangani.
Ambika Samuel (Politician & Social Activist)
Ambika Samuel, elected to Sri Lanka’s Parliament in 2024 from Badulla District under the National People’s Power (NPP) party, is the first Tamil woman from the plantation community to achieve this milestone. She contested and got elected challenging deep-rooted gender and ethnic barriers in a system long dominated by plantation elites.
Before entering the parliament, Ambika worked at the grassroots level, teaching Sinhala and English in communities where such opportunities were lacking. She played an active role in the “Malayagam 200” campaigns, training and empowering members of her community. Ambika’s leadership challenges perceptions of who can lead and inspire women and youth from marginalised communities to step into leadership, paving the way for greater political inclusivity and empowerment in Sri Lanka.
- Multiple Sources
Saroja Savithri Paulraj (Minister of Women & Child Affairs, Sri Lanka)
Saroja Savithri Paulraj, appointed in November 2024 assumed office in a period demanding urgent action on child welfare, women’s safety, and gender equality, in a nation grappling with socio-economic challenges and evolving rights discourse.
She secured a budget of Rs 500 million yo prioritise child care centres, championed the Sexual Harassment in Public Transport Campaign, represented Sri Lanka at CEDAW in Geneva for the first time as a subject minister, and was elected Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to strengthen legislative advocacy for women’s rights.
- Multiple Sources
Krishnan Kalaichelvi (Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka)
Krishnan Kalaichelivi, elected to Parliament in November 2024 from Nuwara Eliya District , is among the first Malaiyaha Tamil women to enter Parliament. Grounded in grassroots activism, Kalaichelvi built her campaign through direct engagement with estate communities, listening to their grievances about low wages, poor access to education, and lack of land rights.
In Parliament, she serves on the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour and advocates for fairer conditions for workers.
- Multiple Sources
Deepthi Wasalage (Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka)
Deepthi Wasalage, a former chemistry teacher with over four decades of experience was elected to Parliament in 2024 from Matale District. Her transition from education to politics brings the voice of Sri Lanka’s educators and working women into national decision-making.
In Parliament, she contributes to multiple committees, including those for Industry & Entrepreneurship Development; Transport, Highways, Ports & Civil Aviation; Energy; Environment; and participates in the Women Parliamentarians Caucus and the Climate Caucus. She adds to women’s representation , bringing concerns of education, environment, public infrastructure, and equitable development to the fore.
- Multiple Sources
M.A.C.S Chathuri Gangani (Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka)
Elected in 2024 from Monaragala District, Chathuri Gangani is a teacher turned parliamentarian dedicated to improving the lives of women and rural workers. With a special degree in Business Statistics, she brings analytical insight and grassroots understanding to national policymaking.
Representing one of Sri Lanka’s most rural regions, she amplifies the voices of women workers in plantations and fields, advocating for safer working conditions, fair wages, and dignity at work.
- Multiple Sources
Project Manager: Riya Hira
Contributors: Akhil Neelam & Riya Hira
Edited by: Sugandha Singh
Design: Riya Hira
Template: Vida Seraphina (https://vidaseraphina.dk/)
Sources:
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