Athithiya Anantharajah, a 25‑year‑old of Sri Lankan origin, has been appointed Maire Adjoint (Deputy Mayor) of Pontault‑Combault, a municipality on the outskirts of Paris, France.
Athithiya, the daughter of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who fled the war, began her public service career at the age of 19 as a city councillor.
She was officially appointed Deputy Mayor in March 2026 and assumed duties on March 23 following the municipal elections.
Her family traces its roots to Kayts in the Jaffna district.
During her earlier term as Municipal Councillor for Youth from 2020 to 2026, Athithiya led several initiatives for young residents aged 11 to 17, including the “Quartier Jeunes” program and awareness workshops on environmental issues and disability inclusion.
She is expected to play a key role in local governance and community development in Pontault‑Combault. (Newswire)