Chanu Nimesha is contesting Sri Lanka's parliamentary election on Thursday as the first openly transgender candidate, hoping to forge a more inclusive and tolerant political culture on the South Asian island.

This is just another step in that process." Nimesha is contesting from Kegalle, around 50 miles east of the capital Colombo, and says her message of social justice has been well received. The vote comes less than two months after Marxist-leaning Anura ...

Sri Lanka’s first openly transgender parliamentary candidate aims to foster a more inclusive political culture. Chanu Nimesha, 49, a member of the Socialist Party of Sri Lanka, is contesting from the Kegalle constituency and is focusing her campaign on social justice issues.