From 1931 when women gained voting rights to date, there has been less than six per cent women’s representation in parliament, said Kumuduni Samuel.

She noted that out of 225 members of the present parliament, only 13 are women, or 4.8 pc, which is the lowest in South Asia.

Samuel noted the promise given by president Maithripala Sirisena to increase women’s representation in LG bodies to 25 pc.