President turns 59 today
[June 29, 2004 - 8.30 GMT] 

  President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga turns 59 today, a series of religious and charitable events have been planned to mark the President’s birthday.

Chandrika was born to one of Sri Lanka’s most distinguished families on 29th June 1945. Her father, SWRD Bandaranaike, was a senior Minister of the Government at the time of her birth. He was later to become the Prime Minister of the country, while her mother, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, was to become the world’s first woman Prime Minister in 1961. Chandrika had her early education at St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo and at the Aquinas University College Colombo. She then proceeded to France to study at the University of Paris, from which she graduated in Political Science.

Chandrika Bandaranaike married Vijaya Kumaratunga in 1978. Her charismatic film idol cum politician husband was slain by political opponents in 1988.

President Kumaratunga was earlier this year awarded the Ceres medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in recognition of her efforts to foster rural development and peace in Sri Lanka, as well as her personal collaboration with FAO in the 1970s.

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Last Updated Date: June 29, 2004  - 8.30 GMT.