“Not an Accident”: Sri Lankan PM Harini Amarasuriya Issues Bold Call for Power Reform at Davos 2026

By Lions Roar News Asia Desk

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND (Thursday, January 22, 2026) — Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has delivered a powerful address at the World Woman Davos Agenda 2026, held alongside the 56th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Speaking at the World Woman House in Davos-Klosters yesterday (January 21), the Prime Minister tackled the systemic exclusion of women from global decision-making, branding it a deliberate result of entrenched power hierarchies.

Addressing the forum under the theme “Women Leading the Changing Global Order,” Amarasuriya called for a fundamental transformation of institutional structures to allow women to lead with autonomy and confidence.

🏛️ Challenging the “Power Hierarchy”

In a speech that resonated with global leaders and activists, the Prime Minister argued that the lack of women in top-tier leadership is not a matter of chance but a designed social construct.

Intentional Exclusion: “From a political standpoint, the exclusion of women from decision-making is not an accident; it is the result of a long-standing power hierarchy built on gender,” she stated.
The Cost of Leadership: She highlighted that women in politics often face harassment, defamation, and marginalization, which forces many to step back or avoid leadership altogether.
Beyond Protection: Amarasuriya emphasized that the solution isn’t just about “safety” but about transforming the very structures of power so women can exercise authority without fear.

🌾 The “Invisible” Contributors

The Prime Minister also pointed out the massive, yet unrecognized, economic contributions made by women worldwide.

Unpaid Care Work: She noted that society continues to overlook the vital roles women play in the informal sector, agriculture, and unpaid domestic care.
Structural Transformation: To truly empower these women, she argued that policy-making must move beyond representation to active inclusion in economic planning.

🇱🇰 The Sri Lankan Example: A Historic Shift

Amarasuriya used Sri Lanka’s recent political evolution as a beacon of hope for inclusive governance.

“Sri Lanka has shown what can be achieved when political commitment aligns with the resilience of its people. For the first time, under our current government, 21 women have been elected to Parliament, marking a historic milestone in political representation.”

She stated that this progress reflects the new government’s commitment to inclusive governance, proving that their vision for equality is a reality, not just a perspective.

📊 Key Highlights: Davos Agenda 2026

Key Theme	Prime Minister’s Stance
Exclusion of Women	A result of deliberate gender-based power hierarchies.
Leadership Environment	Requires structural transformation, not just “safety” measures.
Sri Lanka Milestone	21 Women in Parliament (A historic high for the nation).
Definition of Leadership	Restructuring systems rather than just filling seats.