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Witness History: The world's first woman premier

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The world's first woman premier

17/11/2020 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The world's first woman premier

In 1960 Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka became the world's first woman Prime Minister

Sirimavo Bandaranaike was elected the prime minster of Sri Lanka, or Ceylon as it was known then, in 1960 following the assassination of her husband, Solomon Bandaranaike.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike was elected the modern world's first female head of government in 1960 when she became Prime Minister of Sri Lanka or Ceylon as it was known then.  She entered politics after the assassination of her husband Solomon Bandrainaike in  1959. Farhana Haider has been speaking to her daughter Sunethra Bandaranaike about her mother's remarkable political achievement.

Photo Sirimavo Bandaranaike  the Prime Minister of Ceylon (later Sri Lanka), 1960.  Credit Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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