Sri Lanka got a female Prime Minister after about two decades

“I have often been told that I’ve failed as a woman because I don’t have children of my own. Some even go as far as to say that it’s unfortunate I haven’t fulfilled my role as a "good mother" to society. But I am a mother, even if I haven’t borne a child.

To me, a woman is free, powerful, and empathetic—a leader who can understand and care for others. She’s deeply sensitive to the needs of society, shaped by her unique experiences as a woman. Above all, she has the strength and freedom to think for herself.”

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, The PM of Sri Lanka, at a talk with HariTV 

If you are familiar with world political history, you may know that the world’s first female prime minister hailed from Sri Lanka. I am proud to say that, as a woman from an Asian country which is deeply believed into cultural and traditional perspectives on feminism. 

Sirimavo Bandaranayake was the first female prime minister of the world, since she became the prime minister of Dominion of Ceylon in 1960. Then, Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunga was the second female prime minister and later she became the first female president of Sri Lanka till 2005. 

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya appointed as the third female PM of Sri Lanka, by new president Anura Kumara Dissanayake on 24th of September 2024. She is the first female PM of Sri Lanka who is not connected to a political family background. 

In 2022, there was a series of public protests called ”The struggle of love” of Sri Lanka, was continued to eradicate the prevailed corrupted political system. But later on, Ranil Wickremasinghe became the president, without any people’s power. He has a long history of political corruption, and I would describe him as someone driven by an insatiable desire for power. Yes, he also has done something for the country. Someone can argue for that. But it is like purchasing us a bus ticket, after selling all the public buses. 

Sri Lankan people continued the silent struggle for a new president. Anura Kumara Dissanayake was the candidate from National People’s Party, which is driven by the communist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, which was formed by one of the greatest people’s leader in Sri Lankan history, Rohana Wijeweera. Mr. Anura Kumara won the presidential election, becoming Sri Lanka’s first president without a political family background. 

Sri Lanka’s decline into this current state is largely due to the relentless pursuit of power by the same political dynasties over the years. People needed a revolution. People needed to get rid of the family ruling. People needed a true person who loves the country, not the power. I think we have come in to a decisive position as a country now. 

Appointing a female leader as the PM is a great victory we won as women of Sri Lanka. She is the first PM of Sri Lanka having a Doctor of Philosophy (Phd). This may be not an important fact for you. But it is a crucial fact for Sri Lankans, where there is a low political literacy in some areas. Since a long period, people gifted the ruling power for uneducated greedy people. They cheated the poor uneducated people over decades, with cunning promises. This is the main reason for the corruption of Sri Lanka. 

The female power in Sri Lankan parliament is less than 10%. I think this is not a problem in our country. This is a global problem. If the cases related to - New Zealand former PM Jacinda Ardern, Hillary Clinton, Finland former PM Sanna Marin, and German Politician Angela Merkel - are studied well, it is enough to understand the position and the attitude about a woman in the ruling society. Those social attitudes are the main issues, that prevents the female power, especially in Asian countries. 

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is a best example for me, to understand how the unique women power can affect a nation. It is in the statement how she defines a woman. She is a deviation from typical Asian woman. Society defines the mother as a woman who can give birth to her own child. Most of them do not like to accept the deviated women from that standard line. This is a major problem face by Asian women. All most all of them are making children to get included into the standard category of women, designed by the society. They can not decide their joy, other than the societal needs. But Dr. Harini said all the women are mothers, although they have no ability to give a birth. Yes, I felt that. 

We are waiting for another parliament election nearby. The leader who would get the highest votes, will become the PM. But I think, Dr. Harini will be able to form a revolution in women politics in Sri Lanka. Female leaders should come to the power, to understand the need of women. Female leaders should come to the power to motivate other women. Female leaders should come to the power, to give the sense of humanity to the nation. Because all women are mothers. All women can feel the sense of humanity of the society. That is why I appreciate this revolution this much. 

Yes, this is a great victory we got as Sri Lankan women.