April 17 marked the 108th birth anniversary of the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike, an iconic figure in Sri Lankan politics.Sirimavo Bandaranaike created history by becoming the first-ever female Prime Minister in the world.
She led the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to victory in the parliamentary elections held on July 21, 1960, and assumed the office of Prime Minister. She served three terms as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, from 1960 to 1964, 1970 to 1977, and 1994 to 2000.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike hailed from an elite family, and her family members held influential positions in Sri Lanka, including that of President, Prime Minister, and influential ministers.
Her contribution to Sri Lankan politics and her leadership during her tenure as Prime Minister is still remembered fondly by the people of Sri Lanka.
The first female Prime Minister of the world
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was a prominent political figure who served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1956 to 1959.
Her daughter, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, followed in her footsteps and became a leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
After her father’s assassination, Chandrika also served as the Prime Minister and President for two terms. Sirimavo’s son, Anura Bandaranaike, was also involved in politics, holding the position of Speaker of the Parliament and serving in various ministerial roles.
Born on April 17, 1916, Sirimavo received her early education from Fergusson Girls’ School in Ratnapura and St. Bridget’s Convent in Colombo.
After marrying on October 2, 1940, she joined the Lanka Mahila Samiti (Lanka Women’s Association), the largest women’s voluntary organisation.
Sirimavo empowered rural women through social programs, including disaster relief efforts. Her services were highly recognised, and she received numerous awards.
A great win from two-thirds
Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s tenure as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in the early 1970s was marked by remarkable achievements.
In the general election 1970, she secured a resounding victory with over two-thirds of the votes, making her the world’s first female head of government.
Her government wasted no time setting a new course for Sri Lanka that would be anchored in socialism and guided by the principles of non-alignment.
In 1972, Sirimavo Bandaranaike oversaw the adoption of a new constitution that paved the way for a more democratic Sri Lanka.
The constitution abolished the monarchy and declared Sri Lanka a republic, with Sirimavo Bandaranaike as the first prime minister. This move was widely hailed as a significant step towards a more egalitarian society.
Under Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s leadership, Sri Lanka hosted the Non-Aligned Nations Conference in 1975, with Sirimavo Bandaranaike as its President.
The conference brought together leaders from over 100 countries and helped to strengthen Sri Lanka’s ties with other non-aligned nations.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s role in the conference was widely recognised as a significant diplomatic achievement for Sri Lanka.
Overall, Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s leadership during this period helped elevate Sri Lanka’s position in the world and earned the country a special place in international relations. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of Sri Lankans to this day.
Production instead of import
The central focus of her efforts was to promote the growth of local industrial businesses in the country to foster economic self-sufficiency.
To this end, she implemented a policy of import restrictions aimed at producing goods within the country rather than relying on foreign imports.
In addition, she launched a comprehensive program to uplift the agricultural industry, with the goal of increasing the country’s food security and reducing its reliance on imported foodstuffs.
Her contributions to social welfare are also noteworthy, as she established the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in Sri Lanka in 1975.
This was a pioneering move in the region, which recognised the need for a dedicated government body to address the unique challenges women and children face in the country.
Through her visionary leadership, she left an indelible mark on Sri Lanka’s development trajectory, and her legacy continues to inspire generations.
Abolition of civil rights
Sirimavo Bandaranaike, a prominent Sri Lankan politician, suffered a major setback when her government was defeated in the 1977 general election.
Years later, on October 16, 1980, her troubles worsened when the United National Party government in Parliament passed a resolution that banned her citizenship for seven years.
This move created a stir not just in Sri Lanka but around the world, drawing severe criticism. The process was closely watched, and many expressed their displeasure at the decision, which was seen as an affront to democracy and human rights.
Prime Minister again
In the 1989 general election, Sirimavo Bandaranaike was re-elected to Parliament from the Gampaha district and subsequently became the leader of the opposition.
In November 1994, after ten weeks in which her daughter Chandrika Bandaranaike served as Prime Minister of the Sri Lanka People’s Front government established in the same year’s general election, Chandrika Bandaranaike was elected President.
Following her daughter’s ascension to the presidency, Sirimavo Bandaranaike was again appointed Prime Minister at the majority’s request.
Sudden death
In October 2000, Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike passed away suddenly on the same day as the Parliamentary General Election.
She had fallen ill on her way back to Colombo after casting her vote at Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi College.
Her passing marked the end of an era and the loss of a proud woman who had played a significant role in shaping Sri Lankan politics and gaining recognition on the world stage.
Despite facing numerous setbacks and opposition from political forces, Sirimavo Bandaranaike established herself as a populist leader.
She had a close relationship with the Gandhi family in India, and her friendly foreign policy helped resolve the issue of Kachchathiv Island, which had gained international attention. Thanks to her intervention, Sri Lanka was granted sovereignty over Kachchathiv Island.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the world’s first female prime minister, and she received support from leaders of various countries worldwide.
This support was critical to her successful and popular political process. Her character and leadership continue to serve as a precedent for world politics, and she is remembered as a trailblazer who broke barriers and impacted Sri Lanka’s history.
