Owing to ill health, Mrs Bandaranaike tendered her resignation from the office of Prime Minister and opted to retire from the political arena. Having been the world’s oldest serving Prime Minister when she stepped down at the age of 84, Mrs Bandaranaike’s resignation ended a four decade long political career that had seen her reach dazzling heights in a journey during which she had ascended to the post of Prime Minister thrice and served as Leader of the Opposition on two occasions.