Harini Amarasuriya completed her undergraduate degree in sociology at Hindu College in Delhi.

Harini Amarasuriya, a 54-year-old university professor and first-time lawmaker, was appointed Sri Lanka’s 16th prime minister on Tuesday. A leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), Amarasuriya was sworn in by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also took on the finance minister’s role as the country faces its worst economic crisis in 70 years.

Many view her appointment as a chance to strengthen ties between Sri Lanka and India, particularly because of her educational background and connections in Delhi. Amarasuriya completed her undergraduate degree in sociology at Hindu College in Delhi.

She is the first head of state from the 125-year-old Delhi University college, which has produced several actors, national cricketers, bureaucrats, political leaders and a former Chief Justice of India.

Hindu College principal Anju Srivastava called it a “proud milestone in the college’s storied history.” She said, “We are delighted to hear that a Hinduite is now the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. It is a proud moment for the Hindu College family. A student of sociology at Hindu College between 1991 and 1994, she is an extremely accomplished academic and politician,” as reported by Hindustan Times.

Bollywood director Nalin Rajan Singh, who was in the same college batch as Amarasuriya, recalled their time at Hindu College in the early 90s: “I vaguely remember her, but I know she was very involved in college festivals and debates. It was the 90s, and a lot of us … were starting to make our mark. To see her become prime minister is amazing.”

Born and raised in Colombo, she earned a master’s degree in applied anthropology in Australia and a PhD in social anthropology from the University of Edinburgh. Amarasuriya entered politics as a member of parliament in 2020 through the NPP national list.

The academic-turned-politician has published books and conducted research on youth, politics, dissent, activism, gender, development, state-society relations, child protection, globalisation, and development.

Although she began her political career in 2020, her academic and intellectual background sets her apart from many regional politicians. Her appointment is viewed as a step toward greater cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, particularly in education, technology, and investment.

Amarasuriya is only the third woman prime minister in Sri Lanka’s history. She follows in the footsteps of Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world’s first woman prime minister in 1960, and her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, who served in 1994.

Her appointment comes at a crucial time for Sri Lanka, which is dealing with severe economic crisis, including its first debt default. The decision of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who won decisively in the election, to cut taxes and reassess the terms of a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout has raised concerns among investors. Analysts warn that any delays in restructuring Sri Lanka’s $25 billion debt could worsen the economic situation.