The Sri Lanka Freedom Party, which had been in disarray since the murder of its leader S.W.R.D.

Bandaranaike the previous year, settled on his widow, Sirimavo, as its new leader.

She pledged to continue her husband's policies, notably the Sinhala Only Act, and to proceed with repatriation of the estate Tamils to India.

The SLFP obtained a bare majority, despite getting a lower share of the popular vote than the UNP, and Mrs. Bandaranaike became prime minister.

This was the first time in history a woman led her party to victory in a general election and thus becoming prime minister.