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
Incumbent
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

• Hon. Minister of Power & Energy 2013 to 2015 Jan 12
• Hon. Minister of Technology & Research 2010-2013
• Hon. Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage in 2010
• Chairman of Commonwealth Youth Ministers Convention in 2008
• Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs 2007-2010
• Hon. Minister of Samurdhi & Poverty Alleviation 2004-2007
• Hon. Minister of Plan & Implementation 2000-2001
• Hon. Deputy Minister of Health & Indigenous Medicine 1998-2000
• Hon. Deputy Minister of Health, Highways, Social Services & Welfare 1994-1998
• Member of the Parliament (Ratnapura District) 1994 to date
• Member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council 1993-1994

Other Responsibilities

• Deputy Secretary of the SLFP from 2000 to date
• Leader of the SLFP Women’s Wing from 2000 to date
• Chief Organizer of the Eheliyagoda Seat for the SLFP from 2002 to date
• Chief Organizer of the Kalawan Seat of the SLFP from 1991 to 2002

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

• List of political families in Sri Lanka
• Cabinet of Sri Lanka