Nimesha, a candidate from Kegalle, located approximately 80 kilometers east of Colombo, has declared herself the first transgender individual to seek a seat in the 225-member parliament. She reported that her advocacy for social justice has garnered a positive response from the public.
“Winning or losing is not my primary concern,” she stated, seated in her modest one-bedroom apartment. I must occupy this space to be visible and motivate others who share similar experiences. “I aim to extend my support to all rather than limiting it to just my local community.”
Nimesha, 49, is running as a candidate for the Socialist Party of Sri Lanka, joining a pool of approximately 8,000 individuals vying for election. This contest follows closely on the heels of the recent presidential election, in which the Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake emerged victorious in September.
Sri Lanka faced its most severe financial crisis in over seventy years in 2022, driven by high debt levels, shortsighted economic policies, and significant losses in tourism revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, Chanu Nimesha is set to make history in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election as the first openly transgender candidate. With this groundbreaking candidacy, Nimesha aims to promote a more inclusive and tolerant political landscape on the South Asian island.
According to Equal Ground, a local civil society organization, transgender individuals are estimated to constitute approximately 1% of Sri Lanka’s population, which stands at 22 million. Individuals in this group often encounter social rejection, experience a significant absence of legal protections, and find themselves nearly unrepresented within political parties.
Nimesha was among the thousands who took to the streets in Colombo that year, occupying the office and residence of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, ultimately leading to his flight from the country and subsequent resignation.
Sri Lanka, bolstered by a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund, is experiencing a cautious recovery; however, a significant portion of the population—approximately one in four—continues to live in poverty.
Nimesha supports her activism and political campaign through her role as a quantity surveyor at a local construction site, where she raises essential funds. In addition to her pursuits as an amateur actress, she is also a composer and has authored a book scheduled for publication in the coming two months.
Nimesha, hailing from the southern town of Galle, faced a tragic turning point in her life at the age of 14 when her father lost his life in a political insurgency in 1989. She ultimately relocated to Colombo, severing ties with her conservative family.
“I comprehend their choice to sever connections with me,” she remarked, her makeup arranged meticulously on a table adjacent to a bookcase brimming with literature on socialist and leftist thought. A guitar rests on the bed nearby.
My passion for the necessity of inclusiveness is rooted in a deep understanding of its importance. It is essential to recognize our shared humanity and embrace one another with acceptance. Only through this process can we create a society where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
