Harini Amarasuriya Age, Wiki and Bio

Harini Amarasuriya

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician
NationalitySri Lankan
Date of Birth06/03/1970
Age54 years
BirthplaceGalle, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

Bio/Wiki

Full NameHarini Nireka Amarasuriya
Other NameDr Harini Amarasuriya
Zodiac SignPisces
HometownColombo, Sri Lanka

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 5" (165 cm)
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolBishop's College, Colombo, Sri Lanka
College/University
  • Hindu College, University of Delhi (1991-1994)
  • Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
  • The University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Degrees
  • BA (Hons.) in Sociology from Hindu College
  • MA in Applied Anthropology and Development from Macquarie University
  • PhD in Social Anthropology from The University of Edinburgh

Personal Life

ReligionBuddhism
Marital StatusUnmarried

Relationships & More

Marital StatusUnmarried

Family

Father(Tea Planter) (deceased)
Mother(Homemaker)
Siblings2 (elder)

Career

Political Party
  • Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
  • National People's Power (NPP)
Political Journey
  • Elected as the Member of Parliament for National List from National People's Power (NPP) on 20 August 2020
  • Served as a Member of the Committee on Public Accounts and Ethics and Privileges (2020)
  • Served as a Member of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education (2020)
  • Served as a Member of CoPA Sub-Committee to investigate issues on Medical Supplies and related matters of the Ministry of Health (2020)
  • Appointed as the 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on 24 September 2024
  • Served as a Member of multiple parliamentary committees including Ethics and Privileges, Public Accounts, Women Parliamentarians Caucus, and others in 2024
Academic Career
  • Joined Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) as a sociology and social anthropology lecturer in 2011
  • Became a senior lecturer and head of the department
  • Involved in the Federation of University Teachers’ Association and participated in protests
Other Notable Work
  • Worked at a community mental health centre called Nest for abused women
  • Served as a board member for Law and Society Trust (LST) and Centre for Women’s Research (CENWOR)
  • Authored several books focusing on youth, politics, and gender development

Some Lesser Known Facts

Grew up on a tea estate in Sri Lanka and developed an interest in politics from an early age.
Moved to Colombo in the 1970s due to nationalisation efforts on tea estates.
Spent a year as an exchange student in the US during a time of unrest in Sri Lanka.
Originally intended to study English literature before discovering her passion for anthropology.
Was involved in the longest trade union strike in Sri Lankan history during her academic career.
Has been a prominent advocate for gender equality, women's empowerment, and LGBTQ+ rights on international platforms.