Who is Harini Amarasuriya, the alumna of Hindu College who has been appointed as Sri Lanka¡¯s Prime Minister?
On September 24, 2024, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed MP Harini Amarasuriya as Sri Lanka's Prime Minister. This decision is part of a new four-member Cabinet that will govern the nation until the parliamentary elections, set for November 14. The official announcement regarding the election date was made through a gazette released on the same day, which indicated that parliament would be dissolved at midnight.
Following his victory in the presidential elections held on September 21, Dissanayake stepped down from his position as a Member of Parliament, paving the way for a National People¡¯s Power (NPP) member to fill his seat. The NPP currently holds three seats in the 225-member parliament, which is expected to be dissolved shortly in preparation for the upcoming general elections.
President Dissanayake has taken on several significant roles, overseeing Defence, Finance, Energy, Agriculture, and Fisheries. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Amarasuriya will manage crucial ministries such as Justice, Education, Health, and Trade. Additionally, MP Vijitha Herath will oversee Foreign Affairs and other departments, according to an official statement.
Getting to know Harini Amarasuriya
Harini Amarasuriya, aged 54, is a notable figure in Sri Lankan politics, recognised as a prominent leader of the National People¡¯s Power (NPP). She earned her undergraduate degree in sociology from Hindu College, Delhi University, where she studied from 1991 to 1994. Hindu College, celebrated for its alumni who have excelled in various sectors, considers Amarasuriya one of its most successful graduates.
After completing her studies at Hindu College, Amarasuriya pursued a master¡¯s in applied anthropology in Australia and later obtained a PhD in social anthropology from the University of Edinburgh. She made her political debut in 2020, gaining a parliamentary seat through the NPP¡¯s national list.
Harini Amarasuriya, feminist and outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, is the new prime minister of Sri Lanka.
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Before venturing into politics, Amarasuriya was a respected academic with research focused on youth, politics, activism, gender, development, and state-society relations. She has authored numerous publications in these fields, solidifying her reputation as a leading expert in socio-political research.
Her extensive academic background and diverse experiences position Amarasuriya to make valuable contributions to Sri Lanka's political landscape. There is hope that her connections to India, particularly her time at Hindu College, will enhance the diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Challenges ahead for the new administration
The newly elected President and his small cabinet, including Prime Minister Amarasuriya, are confronted with significant challenges as the nation grapples with the ramifications of the 2022 economic crisis. Citizens are currently enduring severe austerity measures as part of an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-led program.
The IMF has expressed its eagerness to collaborate with President Dissanayake and his administration "towards building on the hard-won gains that have helped put Sri Lanka on a path to economic recovery since entering one of its worst economic crises in 2022." Furthermore, the Fund stated it would soon discuss the timing of the third review of its Sri Lanka program with the new government ¡°as soon as practicable,¡± according to a statement released on September 24, 2024.
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