Sri Lanka’s new President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has appointed opposition lawmaker Harini Amarasuriya as the country’s first female Prime Minister in 24 years. Both Dissanayake and Amarasuriya come from a Marxist-leaning background and aim to bring change to the country after the economic crisis caused by the previous administration. Amarasuriya has also taken on multiple ministerial roles in areas such as justice, health, and women’s issues.
Dissanayake’s party holds only three seats in Parliament, which may hinder his ability to form a full Cabinet. His first challenge will be to address the austerity measures imposed by the previous government under an agreement with the International Monetary Fund. Altering this agreement could affect the release of crucial funds.
Sri Lanka has struggled economically due to mismanagement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and past terrorist attacks. Amarasuriya’s appointment marks a significant moment in Sri Lanka’s history, as women have rarely held top political positions in the country or globally. The last female Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, served for three terms from 1960 to 2000. Bandaranaike’s daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, also became the country’s first and only female president.
Dissanayake’s promise to dissolve Parliament and call for snap elections may bring further changes to Sri Lanka’s political landscape. As the new leadership navigates these challenges, the country looks towards a future of economic recovery and political transformation under the leadership of its first female Prime Minister in decades.
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