The Parliament of Sri Lanka and its predecessors (the National State Assembly, the Parliament of Ceylon and the State Council of Ceylon) have included women Members of Parliament or other applicable representatives continuously since 1931. Adeline Molamure, daughter of J. H. Meedeniya and wife of Alfred Francis Molamure, both State Councillors, was the first woman representative, elected to the State Council in the 1931 election.
Women in the Sri Lankan parliament, however small in numbers, have held high positions in Parliament and the cabinet. Three women have become Prime Minister and one has gone on to become the President of Sri Lanka. Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first female head of government on 21 July 1960, holding the post for a non-consecutive 17 years. Her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, became Sri Lanka's first modern female head of state and president.
The 17th Parliament of Sri Lanka, the current parliament elected in 2024, has the highest number of female legislators with 22 female MPs.
Number of women in the Sri Lankan Parliament (1931âÂÂ2024):
This is a complete list of women who have served as members of the successive Sri Lankan Legislatures, ordered by seniority. This list includes women who served in the past and who continue to serve in the present.