Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike (April 17, 1916 - October 10, 2000) was a Sri Lankan politician and the world's first female head of government. She served as Prime Minister of Ceylon and Sri Lanka three times, 1960-65, 1970-77 and 1994-2000. Junius Richard Jayewardene (September 17, 1906 - November 1, 1996), was the first executive President of Sri Lanka, serving from 1978 till 1989. Before taking over the newly created executive presidency, he served as the Prime minister of Sri Lanka between 1977 and 1978.