Thalatha Atukorale

Thalatha Atukorale (born 30 May 1963) is a Sri Lankan politician and attorney-at-law. She has served as the current General Secretary of the United National Party (UNP) since January 2025, becoming the first woman to hold the position.

Atukorale previously served as the Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare from 2015 to 2018 under president Maithripala Sirisena, and as Minister of Justice from 2017 to 2019, the first woman to hold the portfolio in Sri Lanka.

She also chaired the Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya, the women’s wing of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, from May 2020 until her resignation in August 2024.

Political career

Atukorale entered active politics in 2004 following the death of her brother, Gamini Atukorale, a former cabinet minister and deputy leader of the United National Party. She was elected to parliament in 2004, 2010, 2015, and 2020 from the Ratnapura Electoral District.

She resigned from parliament on 21 August 2024, delivering a parliamentary address that included a strong critique of her party’s leader and presidential candidate, Sajith Premadasa.

Electoral history + Electoral history of Thalatha AtukoraleYearConstituencyPartyAllianceVotesResult 2004 Ratnapura District UNP UNF Elected 2010 Ratnapura District UNP UNF Elected 2015 Ratnapura District UNP UNFGG Elected 2020 Ratnapura District SJB SJB Elected