Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has recalled the challenges of balancing the demands of the presidency with motherhood, household responsibilities and her personal values.
Speaking at a public event, Kumaratunga said she often worked 15-hour days while raising her children.
She said her day began after sending her children to school at 7:30 a.m. and continued until late at night.
“Working like that was difficult, but we had to,” she said, explaining that the goals she had set were difficult and challenging.
Managing Work and Family
Kumaratunga said she had to organise both her official work and private life carefully.
She also spoke about managing household finances during periods of financial pressure. She said she sold land and balanced household accounts while relying on efficient officials to support her work in government.
She also stressed that she did not give government jobs to relatives.
According to Kumaratunga, the only exception was a trusted housekeeper. She said appointments were otherwise based on skill and experience.
The Values She Passed to Her Children
Kumaratunga also reflected on how her approach to parenting shaped her children.
She said she was proud that her children pursued their education to the highest levels and lived without corruption or scandal.
Her message was that demanding work does not necessarily prevent a parent from creating the right environment for children.
“You can do a very difficult, challenging job, work difficult hours, but if you organize your work and your private life in such a manner, you can still give your children the values and the right atmosphere to become good human beings,” she said.
Kumaratunga said her own upbringing also influenced these values.
She recalled attending a convent school and observing the conduct of her parents. She said those experiences shaped her values, which she later passed on to her children.
Her account therefore focused not only on the pressures of holding high public office, but also on how she organised her personal life around those responsibilities.
Last modified: September 20, 2026
