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Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Harini Amarasuriya, delivered the 2026 Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) Annual Lecture at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, titled “The Politics of Development: Sri Lanka and Beyond.”
Addressing students, academics, and researchers, PM Amarasuriya reflected on the intersections of development, governance, and politics in Sri Lanka while situating them within broader global realities. She emphasized that development must be understood not only through policies and statistics but also through the lived experiences of people, particularly in nations recovering from economic crises and institutional challenges.
The Prime Minister highlighted women’s political participation in Sri Lanka, noting the growing involvement of women in grassroots movements and leadership spaces, while acknowledging the challenges of transforming entrenched social and political structures. She also stressed the importance of recognizing both paid and unpaid care work, noting that women’s contributions to families, communities, and the economy often remain invisible in traditional systems.
On economic recovery and social policy, PM Amarasuriya underscored that sustainable development must balance economic progress with dignity, fairness, and social well‑being. She further reflected on the relationship between governments, international development agencies, and local institutions, urging that priorities remain grounded in local realities and accountable to the people they serve.
Drawing from her experiences as a social anthropologist, activist, academic, and political leader, she discussed the challenges of translating activism into long‑term policy reforms, noting that meaningful transformation requires patience, negotiation, and sustained public engagement.
The lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session covering governance, institutional independence, political reform, and economic recovery.