Pavithra Wanniarachchi

Honourable
Pavithra Wanniarachchi
MP
Minister of Plan Implementation
In office
2000–2001
Minister of Samurdhi & Poverty Alleviation
In office
2004–2007
Minister of Youth Affairs
In office
2007–2010
Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage
In office
2010 – 12 January 2015
Minister of Technology and Research
In office
2010 – 12 January 2015
Minister of Power & Energy
In office
2013 – 12 January 2015
Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament
for Ratnapura District
Assumed office
1994
Personal details
Born (1964-11-10) November 10, 1964
Nationality Sri Lankan
Political party Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Other political
affiliations		 United People's Freedom Alliance
Spouse(s) Kanchana Jayaratne
Residence C42 Keppetipola Mawatha, Colombo 05
Occupation Attorney-at-Law
Religion Buddhist

Pavithra Wanniarachchi is a politician and lawyer by profession. In 1990 Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi entered politics on the invitation of the then Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranayake who was the world’s first woman Prime Minister. In 1991 she was appointed as the chief organizer for Kalawana. She then became a member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council in 1993 and in 1994 she entered Parliament as an MP representing the Ratnapura District.

Political Career

After entering this long political career she has held many posts both in the local and International arena. In the year 2000 she was elected as the Deputy Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party which is the highest constituent party of the UPFA and also appointed as the Leader of the Women’s wing of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. From 2002 while she was serving as the Main organizer of the Eheliyagoda seat for the SLFP In 2008 she was appointed as the Chairman of the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Convention and also served as the Hon. Minister for Youth Affairs.

From 2001 to 2004 she was a very active and prominent member of the Opposition and was a highly talented debater at Parliament. Mrs. Wanniarachchi was appointed as the Minister of Power and Energy in the year 2013 until which time she held the post of Minister of Technology and Atomic Research from November 2010. In 2010 she was appointed as the Minister of Cultural and National Heritage and in 2007 as the Minister of Youth Affairs, Minister of Samurdhi & Poverty Alleviation in 2004, and Minister of Plan and Implementation in 2000. In 1998 she also held the post of Deputy Minister of Health & Indigenous Medicine and also in 1994 she held the post of Deputy Minister of Health, Highways, Social Services and Welfare.

Post Held

Other Responsibilities

Educational Career

Pavithra had her primary education at Pelmadulla Mahinda Vidyalaya. She then entered Gankanda Central College and Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda for her secondary Education. She was the Head Prefect of Anula Vidyalaya. Being a very active and bright student she showed a marked talent in many fields amongst which were the prestigious post as the leader of the debating team, Member of the Western band and the Captain of the 1st Volley Ball Team of Anula Vidyalaya. Having shown her talents and capabilities in many fields she held the post of President in many of the School’s Societies including that of the Buddhist Association. She then entered Sri Lanka Law College in 1985 and in 1990 took oaths as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Pavithra Wanniarachchi is a highly talented debater and is blessed with rare leadership qualities. Her unique organizational ability coupled with her very good public Relations and being a kind person at heart has earned the love and respect of not only her constituents but all those who have come in contact with her.

Personal Life

Mrs. Pavithra Wanniarachchi’s husband is Mr. Kanchana Jayaratne, who is the Chairman of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council and also serves as the Private Secretary to the Hon. Minister. She is the mother of two daughters namely, Senuri Prabuddha and Ninu Sandeeka.

Family Background

Mrs. Pavithra Wanniarachchi was born on 10th November,as the eldest daughter of Mr. Dharmadasa Wanniarachchi and Mrs. Podi Menike Weerasekera Wanniarachchi. Her father was a senior politician and was the former Governor of the Wayamba Province in 2003 before which he held the post of Deputy Minister Industries and Scientific Affairs. From 1967 to 1977 he represented the Palmadulla seat in the Parliament. He has also served as the Organizer of the Palmadulla seat for a long time. He was re elected to Parliament in 2000 and in 2004 was appointed as the Governor of the North Western Province. During his long political career spanning over a decade and representing the Palmadulla District he did a yeomen service to his people and electorate. Ms. Prasanna Devi Wanniarachchi is his second daughter and is also a lawyer by profession.

See also

References



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