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Sirimavo BandaranaikeSri Lankan statesman and politician
Country:
 Sri Lanka |
Content:
- Sirimavo Bandaranaike: The First Female Prime Minister in the World
- First Term as Prime Minister (1960-1965)
- - Suppressed a left-wing extremist coup attempt in 1971
Sirimavo Bandaranaike: The First Female Prime Minister in the World
Early Life and Education- Born on April 17, 1916, into a wealthy landowning family
- Educated at St. Bridget's Convent in Colombo
Political Beginnings
- Married Solomon Bandaranaike in 1940
- Became actively involved in politics after her husband's assassination in 1959
First Term as Prime Minister (1960-1965)
- Led the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to victory in 1960- Nationalized foreign oil companies and religious schools
- Lost control of Parliament in 1965
Return to Power (1970-1977)
- Formed a coalition government that won the 1970 elections
- Expelled the U.S. Peace Corps
- Recognized North Vietnam and North Korea
- Nationalized foreign banks and established a state monopoly on foreign trade
- Suppressed a left-wing extremist coup attempt in 1971
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (1972)- Adopted a new constitution, changing Ceylon's name to Sri Lanka
- Became Prime Minister of the newly formed republic
Downfall and Comeback (1977-1994)
- Lost the 1977 elections
- Ruled invalid in 1980 due to abuse of power allegations
- Returned to politics in 1994
Legacy
- The first woman in the world to be elected Prime Minister
- Nationalized key industries and implemented socialist policies
- Contributed to the independence and economic development of Sri Lanka
