Shiranthi Rajapaksa

Shiranthi Rajapaksa (née Wickremasinghe; born 23 January 1953) is a Sri Lankan educator and model who served as the First Lady of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015, as the wife of the sixth President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Life In her youth, Rajapaksa worked as a hotel receptionist. She was selected as Miss Sri Lanka and competed in the Miss Universe 1973 and Miss World 1973 pageants.

She is the founder of the Carlton Schools of Sri Lanka, a group of six preschools in Colombo, Beliatta, Ranna, Walasmulla, Tangalle and Weeraketiya.

During her husband's presidency, she operated the Carlton Siriliya Saviya Foundation, a non-governmental organization which promotes peace and development. Later administrations accused Rajapaksa of using the foundation's bank accounts fraudulently.

Personal life Rajakpaksa was born in Badulla to Violet Wickramasinghe and naval officer E. P. Wickremasinghe. She has three sons with her husband.

Rajakpaksa was raised Catholic, but converted to Buddhism prior to her marriage. In 2007, she was recognized as an "Outstanding Woman in Buddhism" by the International Women's Meditation Center Foundation.