Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike

By: Christine Reyes

Cristal Lopez8-3

Early LifeSirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike was born on

April 17, 1916 in Sri Lanka. She was the eldest daughter of six children. She was the daughter of Dissawa Barnes Ratwatte, who was part of the Senate of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Rosalind Mahawelatenne Kumarihamy. Although she attended a Roman Catholic school, when she grew older she became Buddhist. Sirmavo grew up with her grandfather, who was a wealthy man. Since the time that she was a young girl, she always thought deeply about her culture. When Sirimavo Bandaranike become older, she later followed the foot steps of her father.

The Start of Something NewAfter the assassination of her husband, Solomon Bandaranaike, in 1959,the

former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Sirimavo took over his leadership in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. She became a senator and held her husband’s position for over 40 years. In 1960 she became the first female Prime minister in Sri Lanka and the world. Sirimavo was the Prime minister three times during her life time,1960-1965,1970-1977 and then 1994-2000.Although she was the first women Prime Minster, she did led Sri Lanka into a bumpy roller coaster. Finally, in 1977 she was defeated in a election for her position. Then in 1980 she was expelled from the parliamentary because it was said that she abused her power of former Prime Minister, she was banned for seven years. After, she bounced back into politics for her second term. Mrs.Bandaranike was also know to use her emotions to receive more support during elections and conferences. On October 10,2000 Sirmavo Bandaranaike died of heart faliure, which was election day and she had casted her vote for the last time. Her daughter, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, followed her foot steps and is the former president of Sri Lanka;which makes her Sri Lanka Only female president.

Thoughts of a LegacyAlthough Sirmavo Bandaranaike rode a bumpy roller

coaster with Sri Lanka, we believe that she changed the world. Many countries, including the United States, don’t have women as leaders. Sirmavo represents the power and willingness that every woman should have despite their race or religion. Since she filled in the position of her husband after his assassination, we felt that she wasn’t scared of showing the strength that she had. She contributed to what Sri Lanka is today by continuing with the freedom party that her husband founded. As prime minister, she also promoted a new constitution that proclaimed a republic and changed the country's name to Sri Lanka. Being a woman and having the power she had, inspired many women all over the world to enter politics. Therefore, we believe that Sirimavo Bandaranaike changed the world because she introduced women in politics.

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