Colombo, Sep 25 (V7N) – Harini Amarasuriya, leader of the National People's Power (NPP), has been sworn in as Sri Lanka's 16th Prime Minister. Her appointment was announced by newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday, following the recent presidential election.

Amarasuriya, a university lecturer and rights activist, replaces former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. In addition to her new role as Prime Minister, the 54-year-old has been entrusted with several key ministerial portfolios, including Justice, Education, Labour, Industry, Science and Technology, Health, and Investment.

This marks a significant moment in Sri Lankan politics, as Amarasuriya becomes the third woman to serve as Prime Minister in the country’s history. Despite the NPP holding only three of the 225 seats in parliament, Amarasuriya’s appointment reflects the party’s progressive agenda and its commitment to overcoming the ongoing economic challenges faced by Sri Lanka.

NPP member Namal Karunaratne stated that this will be the smallest cabinet in Sri Lanka’s history, with just four members. There is also speculation that parliament could be dissolved within the next 24 hours.

Amarasuriya is well known for her activism in promoting gender equality, minority rights, unemployment reduction, child protection, and educational reform. Prior to entering politics, she was a Senior Lecturer in Social Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka. She was first elected to Parliament four years ago, and her rise to Prime Minister is seen as a break from the country's past political traditions, often dominated by dynastic politics.

President Dissanayake, who was sworn in on Monday, has pledged to steer Sri Lanka through its economic crisis, promising to rewrite the nation’s history by tackling corruption and rebuilding the country’s economy. His victory in the presidential election is seen as a rejection of the corruption that plagued previous governments.

Sri Lanka has faced significant challenges since the ousting of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 amid mass protests driven by economic instability. The election of Dissanayake and Amarasuriya's appointment as Prime Minister signal a new chapter for the nation.

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