Who is Harini Amarasuriya? Sri Lanka’s First Female Prime Minister After 2000

New Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on Tuesday became the first woman to hold the post since 2000, when it was held by Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The 54-year-old National People’s Power (NPP) leader was sworn in by President Anurad Kumara Dissanayake, who appointed a four-member cabinet, including himself.

Amalashuriya, a rights activist and university lecturer, is the country’s third female leader. Besides Gotabaya Rajapaksa, NPP MPs Vijita Herat and Laxman Nipnaraki were also sworn in as cabinet ministers.

The new cabinet will be the first caretaker government before the dissolution of parliament, which will automatically trigger early parliamentary elections expected to be held in late November.

Newly elected President Dissanayake has called for strong leadership to address the challenges Sri Lanka faces under his rule. His appointment of Amarasuriya can also be seen as an example of strengthening progressive governance to address the many pressing issues facing the country.

Harini Amarasuriya’s key policies and priorities

As Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister, Harini Amarasuriya has been given several important responsibilities that will determine his policy agenda:

Minister of Justice

  • Reform the judicial system to ensure fairness and accessibility for all citizens
  • Tackling corruption and increasing transparency in government institutions

Minister of Education

  • Improving access to quality education, especially for the poor
  • Invest in teacher training and modernizing the curriculum to prepare students for the future

minister of labor and industry

  • Protecting workers’ rights and promoting fair labor practices
  • Supporting SMEs to drive economic growth and create jobs

Minister of Science and Technology

  • Invest in R&D to promote innovation
  • Harnessing technology to improve the delivery and efficiency of public services

Minister of Health

  • Strengthen the public health system and provide universal health care
  • Focus on preventive care and health promotion programs

Minister of Investment

  • Attracting foreign direct investment in key sectors such as renewable energy and manufacturing
  • Promoting public-private partnerships to advance infrastructure development

As a human rights activist and university lecturer, Amarasuriya is expected to contribute to progressive causes such as gender equality, minority rights and environmental protection. Her appointment reflects her commitment to addressing Sri Lanka’s pressing social and economic challenges through legal reforms, public investment and stakeholder collaboration.

With a caretaker government in power until snap elections in late November, Amarasuriya must move quickly to build consensus on her vision for the country’s future. Success will depend on her ability to unite across the political spectrum, engage civil society, and make tangible improvements in people’s lives.