Athithiya Anantharajah, a 25-year-old of Sri Lankan Origin, has been appointed Maire Adjoint (Deputy Mayor) of Pontault-Combault, a municipality located on the outskirts of Paris, France.
Athithiya, the daughter of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who escaped the war, began her journey in public service at the age of 19 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 originates from Kayts in the Jaffna district.
During her previous term as Municipal Councillor for Youth from 2020 to 2026, Athithiya spearheaded several initiatives for young people aged 11 to 17, including the “Quartier Jeunes” program and awareness workshops focused on environmental issues and disability inclusion.
She is anticipated to play a significant role in local governance and community development in Pontault-Combault.
