As Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections approach, Chanu Nimesha is making history as the nation’s first openly transgender candidate, running with hopes of fostering a more inclusive and accepting political culture. Representing the Socialist Party of Sri Lanka, Nimesha, 49, is contesting for a seat from Kegalle, located around 80 kilometers east of the capital, Colombo. Her message of social justice and inclusivity has struck a chord with voters, though she emphasizes her campaign isn’t solely about winning.
“For me, the importance lies in being visible and inspiring others like me,” she said from her modest flat, underscoring her desire to support all marginalized communities, not just her own. Transgender individuals in Sri Lanka, estimated to be about 1% of the population, often face social stigma, lack legal protection, and have limited representation in politics, according to the advocacy group Equal Ground.
Nimesha joins the field of roughly 8,000 candidates running in a parliamentary election that follows the recent victory of left-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the September presidential race. Her activism dates back to 2022, when she joined thousands of protestors in Colombo to oust then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis in decades. Although the country has since stabilized with a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund, nearly a quarter of the population still lives in poverty.
In addition to her activism, Nimesha funds her campaign by working as a quantity surveyor and is an amateur actress, musician, and soon-to-be author. Raised in Galle, Nimesha lost her father in a political insurgency and moved to Colombo, though her relationship with her conservative family has since faded. “I understand their decision to cut ties,” she said, noting her passion for inclusivity stems from a desire to bridge divides. “We must see the humanity in each other to build a society where we all belong.”