Hindu College alumna Harini Amarasuriya appointed as new Prime Minister of Lanka
PTC News Desk: A 54-year-old university professor and first-time lawmaker who once roamed the lawns and sat on the dusty benches of Hindu College in Delhi has made history by being appointed Sri Lanka’s 16th prime minister. Harini Amarasuriya, a leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), received her oath of office from the island nation’s newly elected president, Anura Kumar Dissanayake, in a ceremony held in the capital city of Colombo.
Amarasuriya is notable for being the first head of state to emerge from Hindu College, a prestigious institution that has been a cornerstone of Delhi University for 125 years. The college has produced numerous influential figures, including actors, national cricketers, bureaucrats, political leaders, and even a former Chief Justice of India.
The principal of Hindu College, Anju Srivastava, expressed pride in the college’s connection to Amarasuriya. “This is a proud milestone in the college’s storied history. We are delighted to learn that a Hinduite is now the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Harini was a sociology student at Hindu College from 1991 to 1994, and she has proven herself to be an accomplished academic and politician,” she stated. Srivastava added that the college has a rich tradition of political involvement, with annual elections for the positions of prime minister and leader of the opposition among its students.
Amarasuriya’s appointment also marks her as only the third woman to hold the position of prime minister in Sri Lanka’s history.
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Born and raised in Colombo, Amarasuriya pursued her undergraduate degree in sociology at Hindu College before advancing her education abroad. She obtained a master’s degree in applied anthropology from an Australian university and later completed a PhD in social anthropology at the University of Edinburgh.
Bollywood director Nalin Singh, a former English student at Hindu College and a contemporary of Amarasuriya, recalled her vibrant participation in various cultural events during their college years. “She was a friendly member of the community and actively engaged in the college’s cultural life, despite facing a language barrier,” he noted. Singh also expressed hope that Amarasuriya’s past experiences and connections with Hindu College would foster strong relations between India and Sri Lanka.
Ravi Burman, who leads the Hindu College Old Students Association (OSA), congratulated Amarasuriya on her appointment. “We are confident that she will excel as the new prime minister. While we’ve had chief ministers, she is the first prime minister to come from the Hindu College alumni community. This is a significant milestone for us,” he said.
An academic who transitioned into politics, Amarasuriya has made a name for herself as the country’s first female premier in nearly 25 years, having secured her position in Parliament through the NPP’s national list in 2020. She is also an accomplished author and researcher, with published works focusing on youth, politics, dissent, activism, gender issues, development, state-society relations, child protection, globalization, and overall development.
Suranjan Sinha, a former sociology lecturer at Hindu College who taught Amarasuriya, fondly remembered her as a bright and articulate student. He recounted how she introduced him to the rock band Pearl Jam by giving him a curated audiotape of their songs, a moment he recalled vividly.
Amarasuriya’s appointment as prime minister not only signifies her personal achievements but also highlights the enduring legacy of Hindu College in shaping leaders and thinkers in various fields.