Sri Lanka’s new leader appoints first female prime minister for 24 years

National People’s Power politician Harini Amarasuriya, left, takes the oath for the post of Sri Lanka’s prime minister in front of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in Colombo (Sri Lanka Government Information Department via AP)

Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday swore in an opposition politician as his prime minister, making her the country’s first woman to head the government in 24 years.

Harini Amarasuriya, 54, a university lecturer and activist, comes from a similar background as Mr Dissanayake and both are members of the Marxist-leaning National People’s Power coalition.