Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister on Tuesday, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to hold the position since Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 2000.
Amarasuriya, 54, the leader of the National People's Power (NPP), was sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who appointed a four-member caretaker cabinet, which includes himself.
Amarasuriya will oversee multiple portfolios, including Justice, Education, Labour, Industries, Science and Technology, Health, and Investment.
She succeeds Dinesh Gunawardena, who resigned following the recent presidential election. A rights activist and university lecturer, Amarasuriya is not only the first woman Prime Minister since Bandaranaike, but she is also the third female Prime Minister in Sri Lanka's history.
In addition to Amarasuriya, NPP parliamentarians Vijitha Herath and Laxman Nipunarachchi were sworn in as cabinet ministers.
They will serve in the caretaker cabinet as the parliament is expected to be dissolved soon to facilitate a snap parliamentary election, which could take place in late November, according to officials.
Dissanayake, 56, was sworn in as Sri Lanka's ninth president on Sunday following his victory in the presidential election.
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