CHRONOLOGY

14 October 2000 – Final Journey

Mrs Bandaranaike’s demise made headlines across the world as nations mourned the passing of an exemplary leader who had paved the way for women, promoted and protected the values of non-alignment and articulated the cause…

10 October 2000 –End of an era

Having cast her vote at the Sanghabodhi Maha Vidyalaya in Nittambuwa for the General Election of 2000, Sirimavo Bandaranaike had carried out her last civic duty and was returning to Colombo when she passed away…

10 August 2000 – Resignation from Premiership

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…

14 November 1994 – Presidential Election

Within months of the General Election, the Presidential Election was held in November 1994. Mrs Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga obtained a record 62% of the votes cast, resulting in her resigning from the office of Prime…

19 August 1994 – Minister without Portfolio

The General Election of 1994 saw Mrs Bandaranaike’s daughter, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga sweeping the polls, securing 48.94 percent of the vote and ensuring the return of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to the helm of…

11 June 1994 – Establishment of the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute

Mrs Bandaranaike initiated the establishment of a diplomatic training institute which would support the professional Foreign Service and ensure the provision of sound training for career diplomats. She mandated Dr Vernon L. B. Mendis, Sri…

9 March 1989 – Leader of the Opposition for the second time

Following her election to the Parliament, Sirimavo Bandaranaike was appointed Leader of the Opposition when Parliament was convened in March 1989, a post she held until the dissolution of Parliament on 24 June 1994.

15 February 1989 – Defeat at the General Election

Following the dissolving of Parliament on 20 December 1988, General Elections were called for February 1989. Mrs Bandaranaike led the Sri Lanka Freedom Party securing 67 seats, resulting in the SLFP emerging as the second…

19 December 1988 – Defeat at the Presidential Election

Mrs Bandaranaike contested the Presidential Election for the first time in 1988. Articulating her stance against the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the presence of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in…

13 November 1988 -Contesting the Presidential Election

With the calling of the Presidential Election for 19 December 1988, Mrs Bandaranaike commenced her campaign in Nittambuwa where she held her first election rally after handing over nominations. Returning once more to the mainstream…

29 July 1987 – Opposition to the Indo-Lanka Accord

Mrs Bandaranaike expressed strong and vehement opposition to the Indo-Lanka Accord that was signed between President J. R. Jayewardene and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Spearheading the campaign, Mrs Bandaranaike and her son, the Leader…

01 January 1986 – Restoration of Civic Rights

A Presidential decree issued by President J. R. Jayewardene resulted in the restoration of Mrs Bandaranaike’s civic rights which had been removed in 1980. Former Minister Felix Dias Bandaranaike, who had since passed away, had…

05 November 1984 – Assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

The assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31st October 1984 shocked the whole world. Mrs Bandaranaike, with whom Mrs Gandhi had enjoyed a close relationship for nearly thirty years since their first meeting…

16 October 1980 – Imposition of civic disability

Pursuant to her electoral defeat in 1977, the Jayewardene Government appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which found her guilty of abuse of power during her tenure as Prime Minister. Her civic rights and parliamentary…

08 May 1980 – Funeral of Yugoslav President Marshal Josep Broz Tito

A fellow Non Aligned Movement leader, close ally and friend of Mrs Bandaranaike was the Yugoslav President Marshal Josep Broz Tito with whom she had shared many international platforms and worked together to achieve the…

21 July 1977 – General Election defeat

The General Election of 1977, which was the only one held under the Republican Constitution of 1972, saw the Sri Lanka Freedom Party facing an unprecedented defeat. The party went from enjoying a two-thirds majority…

18 May 1977 – Dissolution of First National State Assembly

With the dissolution of the First National State Assembly in May 1977, Mrs Bandaranaike began preparations for the upcoming General Election that would elect the eighth Parliament of Sri Lanka.

12 May 1977 – Awarded the FAO Ceres Medal

The Food and Agriculture Organisation, recognizing the contribution made by Mrs Bandaranaike in the field of food self-sufficiency in Sri Lanka, awarded her the Ceres Medal. The Director General Edouard Saouma presented her with the…

12-18 November 1976 – Visit to Japan

The final leg of the East Asian tour, was a stop in Tokyo, where Mrs Bandaranaike held talks with her Japanese counterpart Takeo Miki resulting in Japan pledging increased grant and project aid. In addition…

08-11 November 1976 – Visit to the Philippines

The second leg of the East Asian visit, took Mrs Bandaranaike and her delegation to Manila. President Ferdinand Marcos and Mrs Imelda Marcos extended Mrs Bandaranaike a warm welcome at the start of a three-day…

සිරිමාවෝ බණ්ඩාරනායක

சிறிமாவோ பண்டாரநாயக்க

SIRIMAVO BANDARANAIKE