Sep 24, 2024, 1:11 PM
Sep 24, 2024, 1:11 PM

Sri Lanka appoints first female prime minister in 24 years

Highlights
  • Harini Amarasuriya has been appointed as Sri Lanka's first female prime minister in 24 years.
  • She is a member of the National People’s Power coalition, which holds only three seats in Parliament.
  • The appointment reflects a rejection of the previous political leadership amid a severe economic crisis.
Story

On Tuesday, Sri Lanka's new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed Harini Amarasuriya as prime minister, marking a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to hold this position in 24 years. Amarasuriya, a 54-year-old university lecturer and activist, is affiliated with the Marxist-leaning National People’s Power coalition, which has only three seats in the 225-member Parliament. This limited representation poses challenges for Dissanayake in forming a comprehensive Cabinet. The political shift comes after a decisive election where Dissanayake defeated former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. Voters expressed their discontent with the previous administration, which they held responsible for the severe economic crisis facing the nation. The last female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, served until 2000, and her legacy as the world’s first female head of government remains significant in Sri Lankan history. Amarasuriya has also taken on responsibilities for four ministries, including justice and health, while another party member, Vijitha Herath, oversees six departments, including foreign affairs and public security. Dissanayake's immediate challenge will be to address the austerity measures imposed by his predecessor, which were part of a relief agreement with the International Monetary Fund following Sri Lanka's debt default. The country’s ongoing crisis is attributed to economic mismanagement and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely affected tourism. Historically, Sri Lankan politics has been male-dominated since the introduction of universal suffrage in 1931, making this appointment a notable change in the political landscape.

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