Indiatimes: Quote of the day by Chandrika Kumaratunga: 'Power is a joke, but it gives me the authority to do what I think I need to do for the country'
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Chandrika Kumaratunga
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, commonly referred to by her initials CBK, is a Sri Lankan stateswoman who served as the fifth president of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005. She is the longest-serving president in Sri Lankan history. She led the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) from 1994 to 2006. She is the younger daughter of former Prime Ministers S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
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politics · President of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005 · politician · also Chandrika Kumaratunga, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Candrikā Baṇḍāranāyaka Kumāratuṅga, 1945-, Kumaratunge, Chandrika Bandaranaike, 1945-, Kumāratuṅga, Candrikā Baṇḍāranāyaka, 1945-, Chandrika Kumaratunga, 1945-
Born 29 June 1945 · Q207432
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2026· 2 entries
The Hindu: Sri Lanka’s former President Chandrika Kumaratunga wishes Vijay on ‘remarkable achievement’
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2025· 1 entry
Following the repeal of ex-presidential privileges, she announced plans to vacate her official residence while recovering from hip surgery
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2019· 1 entry
Campaign: 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election.
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2018· 1 entry
Campaign: 2018 Maldivian presidential election.
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2017· 1 entry
The Diplomat: Chandrika Kumaratunga
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2015· 2 entries
Campaign: 2015 Sri Lankan presidential election.
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Was appointed as the chairperson of office for national unity and reconciliation to overlook national unity in Sri Lanka
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2014· 1 entry
“s opposition coalition, following weeks of speculation regarding her involvement in the coalition”
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2007· 1 entry
UPI: Topic: Chandrika Kumaratunga
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2006· 1 entry
Having remained the leader of the SLFP after leaving office, she "temporally" stepped down from the party leadership citing "continuous harassment she has faced after Mahinda Rajapaksa took office as president" and soon
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2003· 1 entry
Career landmark: Minister of Defence (2003–2005).
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2000· 1 entry
Which had become a major supplier of weapons to the island
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1994· 5 entries
Became the de facto leader of the SLFP forming a coalition called the People's Alliance, which contested the general elections
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Career landmark: President of Sri Lanka (1994–2005).
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Career landmark: Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (1994–1994).
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Career landmark: Minister of Finance of Sri Lanka (1994–2001).
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Career landmark: Minister of Defence (1994–2001).
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1993· 2 entries
Was elected Chief Minister of the Western Province
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Athulathmudali and Premadasa were assassinated
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1991· 1 entry
Chandrika rejoined SLFP and got actively involved in politics
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1984· 1 entry
When Vijaya Kumaratunga formed his own party the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya (SLMP) supporting his political activities against the policies of the mainstream parties
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1982· 2 entries
Their son, Vimukthi Kumaratunga born in 1982 and educated at the University of Bristol became a veterinary surgeon.
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And educated at the University of Bristol became a veterinary surgeon
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1980· 2 entries
And educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and at St George's, University of London became a medical doctor and married Roger Walker a consultant medical practitioner from Dorset
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Their daughter, Yasodhara Kumaratunga born in 1980 and educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and at St George's, University of London became a medical doctor and married Roger Walker a consultant medical practitioner from Dorset.
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1978· 2 entries
Married Vijaya Kumaratunga a leading actor, and LSSP turned SLFP political activist
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Who was assassinated on 16 February 1988, outside his residence in the presence of Chandrika and their two children, then aged five and seven
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1976· 1 entry
Became the chairman of the Janawasa Commission, which established collective farms from land acquired by the LRC
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1974· 1 entry
Became an executive committee member of its Women's League
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1972· 1 entry
Where her mother had become prime minister for the second time in 1970 and launched a wide-ranging programme of socialist reform, and faced a violent communist insurrection in 1971
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1968· 1 entry
Went on to study at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) graduating with a diploma in political science in 1970
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1967· 1 entry
Left Aquinas for France without completing her law studies, on a scholarship from the Institute of French Studies
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1959· 1 entry
His widow, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, assumed leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)
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1951· 1 entry
Broke away from the governing party to establish the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), shaping the political landscape of the country
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1945· 2 entries
Born 1945-06-29.
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Into a prominent Sri Lankan political family, she is the daughter of two former prime ministers, Solomon Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike
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