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Athithiya Anantharajah, a 25-year-old of Sri Lankan heritage, has been named Maire Adjoint (Deputy Mayor) of Pontault-Combault, located on the outskirts of Paris.
The daughter of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who fled the civil war, Athithiya began her political journey at just 19 when she was elected as a city councillor. She was officially appointed Deputy Mayor in March 2026 and took office on March 23, following the municipal elections.
Her family hails from Kayts in the Jaffna district of Sri Lanka. During her previous tenure as Municipal Councillor for Youth from 2020 to 2026, Athithiya spearheaded programs for young residents aged 11 to 17, including the “Quartier Jeunes” initiative and workshops promoting environmental awareness and disability inclusion.
In her new role, she is expected to contribute significantly to local governance and community development in Pontault-Combault, continuing her efforts to engage youth and strengthen civic programs.
