Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on Tuesday after Anura Kumar Dissanayake became President of Sri Lanka. She is the first female leader to hold the post of prime minister since Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 2000.
NPP leader Amarasuriya was sworn in as Prime Minister in the presence of newly elected President Anura Kumar. The President entrusted him with the responsibilities of key ministries such as justice, education, labour, industry, science and technology, health and investment. The president appoints a cabinet of four members, including himself. Amarasuriya replaces Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who resigned after the presidential election.
Amarasuriya becomes country’s third female prime minister
Let us tell you that Amarasuriya was a human rights activist and university lecturer who became the first female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 1994, succeeding the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The third female Prime Minister in the history of the country.
Meanwhile, NPP MPs Vijitha Herath and Laxman Nipunarachi have been sworn in as cabinet ministers. After the dissolution of the House of Representatives, he will serve as a caretaker cabinet minister. Officials said parliamentary elections may be held by the end of November.
Meanwhile, 56-year-old Dissanayake was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s ninth president on Sunday after winning the presidential election. He was administered the oath by the Chief Justice of the State Jayant Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat. In his speech, he thanked former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for the peaceful transfer of power.
President sworn in on Monday
“I promise that I will protect democracy and work to restore the reputation of politicians because people have cast doubt on their actions,” he said. He stressed that Sri Lanka needs international cooperation and that he is not a magician but an ordinary citizen. “My top priority is leveraging people’s talents and knowledge to make better decisions. I want to contribute to that entire responsibility.”
