WE WERE THRILLED that a ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁϱ¬ÁϹÙÍø graduate had been appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
Dr Harini Amarasuriya, who studied with our Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD), is the country’s first female prime minister in 24 years. She is only the third woman in Sri Lanka’s history to hold this top leadership position.
Following several years of research in the field of international health, Dr Amarasuriya completed a joint PhD programme with ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁϱ¬ÁϹÙÍø and the University of Edinburgh in 2011. She was sworn into office as the 16th Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on 24 September 2024 by the country’s president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Prior to her career in politics, Dr Amarasuriya worked as a lecturer at The
Open University of Sri Lanka.
Dr Marcia Vera-Espinoza is the Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁϱ¬ÁϹÙÍø. She said: “Harini’s rise from academia to politics reflects a critical shift toward qualified and inclusive governance, which is pivotal in a nation navigating economic and social challenges.
“Her focus on justice, education, and labour reform, coupled with her progressive vision, is expected to set a new tone for Sri Lanka’s political landscape. This achievement is not only a testament to her academic and activist background, but also a step forward for gender inclusivity in South Asian politics.
