By Akhil Neelam

In a country that once made history by electing the world’s first woman prime minister but today ranks at the bottom for women’s political representation, Harini Amarasuriya’s appointment as Sri Lanka’s 16th Prime Minister on Tuesday (24)  breaks the glass ceiling in Sri Lanka and the South Asian political landscape.

Amarasuriya now joins Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Bandaranaike as only the third woman to hold this position, and notably, the first from a non-political family background.

As researchers at the India-based Centre for Gender And Politics (CGAP), we had the privilege of interviewing Amarasuriya twice: first during her 2020 election campaign as she just entered politics, and later as a parliamentarian in 2021. This insight into her journey offers a window into Amarasuriya’s views on political culture in Sri Lanka, her vision for the country and the potential of women’s leadership in South Asian politics.

At a time when global discussions on women’s political representation are reaching a fever pitch, Amarasuriya’s ascent from academic to Prime Minister offers more than hope; it presents a role model for political journeys, challenging us to reimagine leadership in South Asia and beyond.

Amarasuriya’s path to power is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Born on a tea estate in southern Sri Lanka, she transitioned from academia to activism before entering the political arena. In our first interview, she described her entry into politics as “like a chapter of almost accidents,” sparked by her involvement in a university teachers’ union strike in 2011-2012. This academic background has profoundly shaped her political approach, bringing a critical, analytical lens to Sri Lanka’s entrenched power structures. Her leadership potential was quickly recognized when her political alliance National People’s Power (NPP) got one national list seat and nominated her over other tenured men in the NPP alliance – a strong vote of confidence in her abilities.

From the outset, Amarasuriya has been unequivocal in her critique of Sri Lanka’s political culture. During our first interview, she described it as “extremely toxic, masculine, violent, and exclusive”.

The political context of Amarasuriya’s rise is crucial. In 2022, following a severe economic crisis, a citizen-led movement ousted then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Amarasuriya and the NPP alliance were on the frontlines during these protests, fighting against the political culture and a strong leader.

In our second interview a year later, she emphasized the challenge of making her voice heard: “We want our views to be acknowledged by the mainstream, which is a much harder struggle, as it involves ideological shifts and a constant conversation.” This struggle for acknowledgement took on new significance as Sri Lankans, disillusioned with mainstream parties, turned towards the NPP as an alternative political force promising corruption-free and transparent governance. Despite having only three MPs from the last parliamentary elections, the NPP’s message resonated with a populace that was brought to the edge and was ready for a complete change, paving the path of Amarasuriya’s rise.

Amarasuriya’s journey of overcoming challenges and shattering the normative perception of politics made everyone in our team extremely excited and inspired. She shared with us that “the real battle has been perhaps not to limit myself to speak or comment only on what is considered to be women’s issues.” She described her ongoing effort to avoid being pigeonholed, noting that as soon as she became an MP, she “was portrayed as a ‘woman’ in the parliament and was expected to only focus on women-centric issues and not be interested in other topics.”

Now, as prime minister, Amarasuriya’s role demands engagement with every aspect of governance. This new position not only requires but also legitimizes her involvement in all areas of policy-making, turning what was once her greatest challenge into her most powerful platform for change.

Amarasuriya’s journey exemplifies the transformative potential of diverse leadership in politics. Her academic background could bring a depth of analysis to policy-making, while her activist roots keep her connected to grassroots concerns. As she steps into the role of Prime Minister, the focus shifts to her capacity to lead a nation through complex economic and political challenges.

As Amarasuriya takes on the mantle of leadership, she faces the formidable task of translating her vision into tangible policy outcomes. The potential impact of her premiership extends beyond Sri Lanka, potentially offering a new model of leadership for the entire South Asian region. Her journey from the classroom to the cabinet is more than a personal triumph; it’s a mandate for transformation that could reshape the political landscape of Sri Lanka and inspire a new generation of leaders across South Asia. Amarasuriya’s message to the youth of Sri Lanka, shared in our interviews, becomes even more powerful in light of her new role. She urged youth to get into politics and change the culture rather than fitting in.

Her approach to inclusive, transparent, and analytically rigorous governance could set a new standard for political leadership in the region if she could translate it into practice. For young aspiring women leaders in South Asia, Amarasuriya’s rise offers not just inspiration, but a roadmap for challenging entrenched power structures and bringing fresh perspectives to governance. The world will be watching as she works to turn her vision of a more equitable and effective political system into reality.

-Akhil Neelam is the founder of the India-based Centre for Gender And Politics (CGAP), a think tank focused on gender and politics in South Asia and this article was originally featured on thediplomat.com