January 22, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has underscored Sri Lanka’s dedication to feminist and intersectional leadership, urging the international community to move beyond symbolic inclusion and place women and marginalised groups at the centre of global decision-making.
Speaking at an international forum in Davos focused on women’s leadership in a rapidly evolving world order, she observed that although women are increasingly visible across political, economic and social arenas, their work remains persistently undervalued. She pointed in particular to unpaid care responsibilities, informal employment and agricultural labour, where women’s contributions continue to be largely overlooked despite their central role in sustaining economies and communities.
Dr Amarasuriya was addressing the World Woman Davos Agenda 2026, held alongside the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. Her remarks highlighted the structural nature of gender inequality, noting that women’s exclusion from positions of power is often reinforced through entrenched systems rather than isolated incidents.
She warned that women in leadership, especially in politics, are frequently subjected to harassment, public vilification and institutional barriers that discourage participation and drive capable leaders out of public life. According to the Prime Minister, dismantling these obstacles requires more than safeguarding individuals; it demands fundamental reform of institutions and power dynamics so that women can lead with independence, authority and confidence.
Reflecting on developments at home, Dr Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka is beginning to demonstrate the impact of political will combined with public resilience. She pointed to recent gains in women’s political representation, noting that a record number of women have entered Parliament, marking a meaningful step towards more representative governance.
In closing, the Prime Minister stressed that true leadership is not defined by merely gaining access to existing power structures, but by reshaping those structures altogether. She reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive and feminist leadership, calling on global leaders to ensure that women and marginalised communities are not simply consulted, but are actively shaping the policies and institutions that will define the future.
