First Lady of Sri Lanka

Origins

The office of the President of Sri Lanka was created in 1972 when Sri Lanka became a republic. William Gopallawa who was the Governor-General of Ceylon at the time became the country's inaugural President. His wife, Seelawathie Gopallawa, became the first wife of a President of Sri Lanka. When J. R. Jayewardene became the next president, his wife became known as Lady Elina Jayewardene during and after his presidency. Thereafter, during the presidency of Ranasinghe Premadasa, his wife Madam Hema Premadasa as she was referred to, took on a very viable role and became a public figure unlike before.

Wimalawathi Kumarihami, the wife of the president D. B. Wijethunge was mentioned as the first lady that the public has never seen. The position of first lady was vacant from 1994 to 2005 during the time that Mrs Chandrika Kumaratunga was president as her husband, film star Vijaya Kumaratunga, was killed in 1987 and she was the first female President of Sri Lanka. Shiranthi Rajapaksa became a very viable role as the first lady to become a public figure during her husband's presidency.

Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari Sirisena is the wife of the seventh and current President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena.