World’s First Woman Prime Minister

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29273, 3 August 1960, Page 2

World’s First Woman Prime Minister

IBp SUSAN VAUGHAN) LONDON. The world’s first woman Prime Minister has won her way to the top by the skilful use of a highlyfeminine political weapon—sentimentalism. Mrs Sirimava Bandaranaike appealed to the people of Ceylon not as a high-powered politician but simply as the widow of their much-loved former Premier, who was assassinated last year.

As head of the Sri Lauka Freedom Party, she campaigned on the simple promise that if her party was elected to power, she would continue her husband’s policies. It worked. The party was voted in with a thumping majority. And the success is almost entirely due to Mrs Bandaranaike. She is by no means a “figurehead leader.’’ Although this 42-year-old mother of three had taken no active part in politics until her husband’s death, she campaigned like a seasoned politician, making

strategic use of the opposition’s weaknesses and keeping her own followers alert by setting them an example of determination and tremendous energy. No-One who knows Mrs Bandaranaike is surprised that she has succeeded so notably in such a short time.

For, although, in the traditional Ceylonese manner, she patterned her life on the idea of “simple living, decorum, and dignity,” she Was for 20 years the wife of an extremely able politician, and became familiar with political personalities in the country and their partisan complexities. Also, this dark, intense, handsome woman comes from a family used to power—she was both into the rich land-owning Kandyan aristocracy. Her childhood was strict. She

was educated in a Roman Catholic convent in Colombo, and afterwards spent much time in social work and as president of women’s organisations. Now, instead of organising bazaars and setting up baby clinics, she must cope with such problems as the suggested nationalisation of tea and rubber, and handle the important international affairs that arise in a country as strategically important as Ceylon. With, her election, the main battle has just begun. In future she must prove herself a staieswoman. For no-one appreciates more than Mrs Bandaranaike that sentiment although a handy weapon with, which to collect votes—will be of little consequence in the tough arena of international politics.