– Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya delivered the 2026 OSGA Annual Lecture at the University of Oxford, addressing global themes of development, governance, and political reform.

The lecture, titled “The Politics of Development: Sri Lanka and Beyond,” was held at St Antony’s College and organised by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA), the department’s flagship annual event bringing together academics, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss pressing global issues.

Addressing students, researchers, and academics from across the university, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reflected on the relationship between development, governance, and politics in Sri Lanka, while also examining the broader challenges faced by countries pursuing meaningful social and economic reform.

During her address, the Prime Minister stressed that development should not be viewed solely through economic models, statistics, or policy frameworks, but also through the lived experiences of ordinary people. She noted that governance often requires balancing ideals with practical realities, particularly in nations recovering from economic crises, institutional instability, and entrenched inequalities.

Dr. Amarasuriya also spoke extensively about women’s political participation in Sri Lanka, highlighting the growing role of women in grassroots political movements and leadership spaces. She discussed ongoing efforts to expand political opportunities for women while acknowledging the challenges involved in transforming deeply rooted social and political structures.

On economic recovery and social policy, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of recognising both paid and unpaid care work, noting that women’s contributions to families, communities, and the wider economy have frequently remained invisible within traditional economic systems.

She further emphasized that sustainable development must ensure not only economic progress but also dignity, fairness, and social well-being.

Reflecting on the role of governments and international development agencies, Dr. Amarasuriya stressed the need for development priorities to remain grounded in local realities and accountable to the communities they are intended to serve.

Drawing from her experience as a social anthropologist, activist, academic, and political leader, the Prime Minister also discussed the difficulties of translating activism and public movements into lasting institutional and policy reforms, stating that meaningful transformation requires patience, negotiation, and sustained public engagement.

The lecture concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants discussed governance, institutional independence, political reform, economic recovery, and democratic accountability.