First Lady of Sri Lanka

The First Lady of Sri Lanka is an official position held by the wife of the President of Sri Lanka.[1]

Current

Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari Sirisena is the wife of the Seventh President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena and the First Lady of Sri Lanka.

Origins of the title

The office of the President of Sri Lanka was created in 1972 when Sri Lanka became a republic. William Gopallawa who was the Governor-General of Ceylon at the time became the President. His wife Seelawathie Gopallawa became the first wife of a President of Sri Lanka. When J. R. Jayewardene became the next president, his wife became known as Lady Elina Jayewardene during and after his presidency.[2] Thereafter during the presidency of Ranasinghe Premadasa, his wife Madam Hema Premadasa as she was refereed to took on a very viable role and became a public figure unlike before.[3] Wimalawathi Kumarihami wife of the president D.B.Wijethunge was mentioned as the first lady that the public has never seen. The Position of First Lady was vacant from 1994 to 2005 during Mrs Chandrika Kumaratunga was president due to two reason, her husband film star Vijaya Kumaratunga was killed in 1987 and she been the first Lady President of Sri Lanka. Shiranthi Rajapaksa became a very viable role as the first lady to become a public figure during her husbands presidency.

List of First Ladies of Sri Lanka

References

  1. ↑ "Official site of the First lady". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Memoirs of a just, caring and endearing personality
  3. ↑ President Premadasa's death anniversary commemorated with military honours on President's directive - Azwer