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 of the developing world. Thousands paid their last respects as she was laid to rest alongside her husband, Prime Minister

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 peacefully, thus ending a life of service and distinction.

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

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 Minister to take up the higher office. Mrs Bandaranaike was sworn in as Prime Minister for the third time, a

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 politics, as the main partyin the Peoples Alliance, a coalition of political parties. As the senior most politician in the

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 Lanka’s senior most career diplomat at the time, from the first batch of the Foreign Service of Ceylon, to be

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.

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 largest political party in Parliament.

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 Sri Lanka as well as suppression of political supporters and human rights violations by the Government in power, Mrs Bandaranaike

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 of politics, Mrs Bandaranaike campaigned throughout the country and was one of three contestants at the Presidential Election, the others