Meet Harini Amarasuriya, Sri Lanka's New Prime Minister With India Connection

Academic-turned-politician Harini Amarasuriya who has old connections with India was appointed as Sri Lanka’s 16th Prime Minister on Tuesday in a historic milestone for the island nation. She became the first woman to assume the role since 2000 and only the third woman to hold such a position in Sri Lankan history.

The development in the country’s top post came after Anura Kumara Dissanayake took oath as the island nation’s ninth Executive President. Amarasuriya comes from the National People’s Power (NPP) alliance led by President Dissayanake. She succeeded Dinesh Gunawardena.

Besides the Prime Ministerial position, Aamarasuriya has also been assigned several portfolios including Justice, Industries, Science and Technology, Health, and Investment.

What Ties New Sri Lankan PM Has With India?

Amarasuriya, now 54, spent most of her academic life in India, completing her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Delhi University between 1991-1994.

She studied at the Hindu College, an educational institute known for producing eminent personalities in various fields. Amarasuriya’s time at the college has been believed as crucial in shaping her political career in Sri Lanka.

Anju Srivastava, the principal of Hindu College, remarked on her ties with the college and said, “It’s an honour to know that a Hinduite has become the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Harini was a student of Sociology from 1991 to 1994, and we are extremely proud of her accomplishments. I hope her time at Hindu played a part in shaping her path to success.”

Harini Amarasuriya: All You Need To Know About Her

The NPP parliamentarian, born on March 6, 1970, became the 16th prime minister of Sri Lanka and the third woman politician to reach such a post after Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Kumartunga.

Being a social activist and university lecturer by profession, her educational qualifications include a BA (Honours) in Sociology, MA App. Anthropology and Development Studies, and PhD in Social Anthropology (from the University of Edinburgh). She was present on 269 days and absent on 120 days in the ninth Parliament of Sri Lanka (2020-2024).