# Chandrika Kumaratunga

> President of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005

**Wikidata**: [Q207432](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207432)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrika_Kumaratunga)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chandrika-kumaratunga

## Summary
Chandrika Kumaratunga is a Sri Lankan politician who served as the President of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005. She is affiliated with the United People's Freedom Alliance and has been educated at prestigious institutions in France, including Sciences Po. Her leadership and public service have been recognized internationally with the award of Commander of the Legion of Honour.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 29, 1945
- **Nationality:** Sri Lankan
- **Education:** Sciences Po (Paris, France), Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence
- **Known for:** Serving as President of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005
- **Employer(s):** United People's Freedom Alliance
- **Field(s):** Politics

## Contributions
- **Political Leadership:** Served as the head of state and government of Sri Lanka, holding the office of President for an 11-year tenure from 1994 to 2005.
- **Political Affiliation:** Contributed to the political landscape of Sri Lanka through her association with the United People's Freedom Alliance, a major political coalition established in 2004.
- **International Relations:** Maintained an affiliation with the United Nations, connecting her work to the global intergovernmental organization founded in 1945 to promote peace and security.

## FAQs
**When did Chandrika Kumaratunga serve as President?**
She served as the President of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005.

**Where did Chandrika Kumaratunga go to school?**
She studied at Sciences Po, a higher-education institution in Paris, France, and at Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence, a grande école.

**What awards has Chandrika Kumaratunga received?**
She has been recognized as a Commander of the Legion of Honour, which is the third rank of the French Legion of Honour.

**What political party is she associated with?**
She is affiliated with the United People's Freedom Alliance, a Sri Lankan political coalition headquartered in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

**What is her nationality?**
Chandrika Kumaratunga is a citizen of Sri Lanka.

## Why They Matter
Chandrika Kumaratunga holds significance as the leader of Sri Lanka during a critical eleven-year period in the nation's history. Her presidency represents a distinct era in the governance of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, a country known for its high human development indicators and strategic location in South Asia. Her recognition with the Commander of the Legion of Honour underscores her international standing, while her education at elite French institutions highlights the academic foundation that supported her political career.

## Notable For
- Serving as the President of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005.
- Being a recipient of the Commander of the Legion of Honour.
- Holding citizenship in Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia.
- Being educated at Sciences Po (inception 1872) and Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence (inception 1956).
- Affiliation with the United People's Freedom Alliance.
- Being an instance of a human (Homo sapiens) and a politician.

## Body
### Identity and Background
Chandrika Kumaratunga is a human and a politician by occupation. She was born on June 29, 1945. She holds citizenship in Sri Lanka, an island country in South Asia officially known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a sovereign state with a presidential system of government and a population of approximately 22 million as of 2023. The country, which became a republic on May 22, 1972, is known for its high Human Development Index and rich cultural heritage. Kumaratunga is also known by various aliases, including Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, CBK, and Candrikā Baṇḍāranāyaka Kumāratuṅga.

### Education
Kumaratunga's academic background includes attendance at two prominent institutions in France. She is affiliated with Sciences Po, a higher-education institution located in Paris, France, which was established in 1872. Sciences Po operates with a significant staff, approximately 3,280 employees, and is a major center for political science. Additionally, she attended Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence, a grande école founded in 1956 and headquartered in Aix-en-Provence. These institutions are part of the French educational system that focuses on governance and international affairs.

### Political Career and Affiliations
Chandrika Kumaratunga is best known for her tenure as the President of Sri Lanka, a role she held from 1994 to 2005. As President, she led a country with a mixed economy characterized by strong social welfare programs and a commitment to universal healthcare and education. Sri Lanka's economy is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and services, and the nation is a member of international bodies such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

Her political career is further defined by her affiliation with the United People's Freedom Alliance. This Sri Lankan political coalition, which serves as her employer, was established on January 1, 2004, and is headquartered in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka. The alliance plays a significant role in the country's legislative and political landscape.

### Awards and Recognition
In recognition of her contributions and standing, Kumaratunga was awarded the Commander of the Legion of Honour. This is the third rank of the French Legion of Honour, a prestigious order of merit established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. This award highlights her international recognition and the esteem in which she is held globally.

### International Affiliations
Beyond her national roles, Kumaratunga is affiliated with the United Nations. The United Nations is a global intergovernmental organization founded in 1945 to promote international cooperation, peace, and security. Headquartered in New York City, the UN operates through principal organs like the General Assembly and Security Council to address global challenges such as human rights, economic development, and humanitarian aid. With 193 member states, the UN is the world's largest and most influential international body. Her association with this organization connects her to the broader context of global governance and diplomacy.

## References

1. International Standard Name Identifier
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
4. FemBio database
5. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
6. GeneaStar
7. Munzinger Personen
8. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. BBC Things