British Ceylon
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Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Balangoda, British Ceylon
Archival Overview
Sri Lankan statesman who made world history on July 21, 1960, by becoming the first democratically elected female prime minister in modern world history, serving three terms.
Biographical Record
Born into an aristocratic Kandyan family, Sirimavo Ratwatte Bandaranaike (1916–2000) entered politics following the tragic assassination of her husband S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1959. Leading the SLFP to victory in July 1960, she broke the global glass ceiling as the world's first female prime minister.
She nationalized foreign oil companies and private schools, severed ties with the British Crown by adopting a republican constitution in 1972 (renaming Ceylon as Sri Lanka), and chaired the 1976 Non-Aligned Movement summit in Colombo, mediating Sino-Indian border disputes.
Key Life Milestones
First Female Prime Minister in the World
Sworn in as Prime Minister of Ceylon, pioneering female state leadership globally.
Declaration of the Republic of Sri Lanka
Promulgated the republican constitution that officially replaced the dominion of Ceylon with Sri Lanka.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialNittambuwa, Sri Lanka