Harini Amarasuriya has been named as the new Sri Lankan Prime Minister on September 24, 2024. Photo: Special Arrangement

Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister on Tuesday (September 24, 2204), becoming the first woman leader since Sirimavo Bandaranaike in the year 2000 to hold the post.

The 54-year-old National People’s Power (NPP) leader was sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who appointed his Cabinet of four, including himself.

She has been assigned the portfolios of the Minister of Justice, Education, Labour, Industries, Science & Tech, Health, and Investment.

She has replaced Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who resigned from his post following the presidential election.

A rights activist and university lecturer, Amarasuriya is the first woman Prime Minister of Sri Lanka since the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike took up office in 1994 and the third female Prime Minister in the country’s history.

NPP parliamentarians Vijitha Herath and Laxman Nipunarachchi were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers.

They would serve as the caretaker Cabinet with the imminent dissolution of parliament to call for a snap parliamentary election.

The election could happen in late November, officials said.

Mr. Dissanayake, 56, was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s ninth President on Sunday following his victory in the presidential election.