First 'aadivasi' female representative
An 'aadivasi' female came forward as a candidate for the first time in Sri Lankan history contesting the provincial council elections from the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna for the Dehaththakandiya -- Henanigala South and North multiple seats.
This candidate is W.M. Shiromala and is 37 years of
age. She has had her education upto the General Certificate of Education ordinary level and happens to be a mother of 3 children. She has been able to win 1369 votes and has etched her name as the first 'aadivasi' as the public representative.
This is what she exclaimed about her victory: "What I have to first say is that people in our group have a lot of issues that still have not been solved. But all those problems can't be solved. I'll make an effort to solve at least a few of them. In the same way it is by pinning that faith on me that they appointed me. Because of that I don't want to see those hopes lost. My only objective is to give my utmost co-operation to our culture, religion which are diminishing and to give the same support to the development of the country and also to come forward at forthcoming provincial council and parliamentary elections also".