International Success and Domestic Failure: The World’s First Female Prime Minister and the Changing of Sri Lanka’s Official Language

Sirimavo Bandaranaike set a diplomatic precedent as the world’s first female prime minister. Being a Sinhalese Buddhist, Bandaranaike wanted to enforce her culture and language as the national identity of Sri Lanka, causing controversy with those of different identities, mainly Tamils, resulting in debate, violence, and ultimately, civil war.