Harini Amarasuriya features as keynote speaker at Oxford OSGA lecture

Harini Amarasuriya delivered the 2026 Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) Annual Lecture at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, speaking on the theme “The Politics of Development: Sri Lanka and Beyond.”

Addressing an audience of students, academics, and researchers, the Prime Minister explored the complex relationship between development, governance, and politics, with a particular focus on Sri Lanka’s socio-economic experience. She stressed that development should not be measured solely through economic indicators, but also through the real-life experiences of citizens, especially in countries recovering from financial crises and institutional strain.

Amarasuriya highlighted the importance of women’s participation in politics and public life in Sri Lanka, noting increasing involvement at community and grassroots levels. At the same time, she acknowledged the structural barriers that continue to limit broader representation and equality. She also drew attention to the often-overlooked value of unpaid care work, emphasizing its contribution to families, communities, and national economies.

On the subject of economic recovery, she underlined that sustainable progress must go beyond growth figures and include dignity, equity, and social well-being. She further discussed the role of international development agencies and domestic institutions, calling for approaches that remain closely aligned with local needs and public accountability.

Drawing on her background as a social anthropologist, academic, and activist, the Prime Minister reflected on the difficulty of translating social movements into long-term policy change. She noted that meaningful reform requires persistence, dialogue, and continuous civic engagement.

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session covering governance, institutional independence, political reform, and post-crisis economic recovery.

The session was introduced by Professor Diego Sanchez-Ancochea, Head of OSGA, who praised the address as a thoughtful contribution linking academic insight with real-world political experience.