Sri Lanka has made history by appointing Harini Amarasuriya as its new Prime Minister. This marks a significant moment, as she becomes the first woman to hold the position since Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 2000. Amarasuriya, a 54-year-old leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), was sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in a ceremony held in Colombo, the capital.
This appointment comes on the heels of a new President taking office and sets the stage for a snap parliamentary election later this year, potentially in late November. In addition to Amarasuriya, the President appointed a new Cabinet of four members, including himself. NPP lawmakers Vijitha Herath and Laxman Nipunarachchi were also sworn in as Cabinet ministers, forming a caretaker government until the election.
Amarsuriya, a prominent figure in education and social justice, brings a wealth of experience to the role. She has served as a senior lecturer in Sociology and Social Anthropology at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Her appointment marks the first time an academic has become Prime Minister in Sri Lanka. She has been assigned several crucial portfolios, including Minister of Justice, Education, Labour, Industries, Science and Tech, Health, and Investment.
Her entry into Parliament through the NPP national list in 2020 paved the way for this historic appointment. As the 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Amarasuriya joins a select group of women who have held this prestigious position. She is the third woman in Sri Lankan history to serve as Prime Minister, following in the footsteps of Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Her appointment is viewed as a major step forward for gender representation in Sri Lankan politics and is expected to inspire a new generation of female leaders. Amarsuriya’s background as an academic and her commitment to social justice and education offer a fresh perspective to the Prime Minister’s role. Her leadership is anticipated to bring a renewed focus on these critical areas, fostering progress and positive change in Sri Lanka.
