His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe
The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
9th July 2024
Dear Mr President,
I write to you on behalf of the Sri Lanka Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (WPC) to express our concern over the appointment of Senior Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe as the Acting Attorney General, overlooking Senior Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena, despite her seniority and eligibility for the role.
The WPC expresses regret that, in the entire history of Sri Lanka, only one woman has ever been appointed as Attorney General, further exacerbating the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Considering the current Government’s policy priorities, which include women’s empowerment and gender equality, this appointment directly contradicts the Government’s efforts to eliminate gender bias. Specifically, it also contravenes the spirit of the recently passed Women Empowerment Act introduced by the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment under the leadership of Your Excellency.
Therefore, the WPC would like to urge the Government to consider this request and offer Senior Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena the opportunity to serve as the Attorney General of Sri Lanka, in recognition of her seniority, as a reaffirmation of Sri Lanka’s commitment to ensure gender equality.
We look forward to a favourable response to this request.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle (MBBS, MSc, MD – Community Medicine)
Member of Parliament
Chairperson, Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus
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