A report published in New Zealand media has shed light on the disturbing experiences of a Sri Lankan politician, who has been granted refugee status in the country after facing grave threats in Sri Lanka.
According to the report, the 32-year-old woman was sidelined in Sri Lankan politics due to her gender and later became a target of harassment, intimidation, and even life-threatening attacks. She revealed to an immigration and protection tribunal that a well-known MP’s associates had pressured her to engage in a sexual relationship to advance her political career. Her refusal reportedly led to hostility and reprisals, with threats escalating over time.
One of the most chilling incidents occurred in 2018, a day before regional elections, when armed men surrounded her house and fired gunshots, demanding she quit politics. The threats did not stop there—after her brother-in-law’s fatal motorcycle accident, a note was found on his coffin warning that she would be the next to die. She also faced threatening phone calls, a targeted high-speed motorbike attack, and a fire at her parents’ home in 2022, which she suspects was orchestrated by political adversaries.
The tribunal noted that harassment of women in Sri Lankan politics was on the rise. The politician stated that her involvement in politics was “the worst decision of my life,” and she now fears for her life if she returns to Sri Lanka. She believes the MP in question harbors a grudge against her, blaming her for his political downfall.
This revelation has sparked concerns about the safety of women in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, with international attention now drawn to the systemic threats they face.
Read the full original report here : https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/544505/female-politician-fled-to-new-zealand-after-graveside-threat
