Athithiya Anantharajah, a 25-year-old of Sri Lankan origin, has been appointed Maire Adjoint (Deputy Mayor) of Pontault-Combault, a suburb on the outskirts of Paris, France. 

Her appointment was officially announced in March 2026, and she assumed her duties on 23 March following the recent municipal elections.

Athithiya is the daughter of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who fled the war, with her family tracing its roots back to Kayts in the Jaffna district. She began her public service career at the young age of 19 as a city councillor.

During her term as Municipal Councillor for Youth from 2020 to 2026, Athithiya spearheaded several initiatives aimed at engaging young residents aged 11 to 17. 

Notable programs include “Quartier Jeunes,” a youth engagement project, and awareness workshops focused on environmental issues and disability inclusion.

Her appointment as Deputy Mayor signals her rising influence in local governance and community development in Pontault-Combault, where she is expected to lead efforts in youth empowerment and social inclusion.