Sirimavo combines the Sinhala siri (auspicious) and the *mavo* honorific. **Sirimavo Bandaranaike (1916-2000)** became Prime Minister of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in **July 1960 — making her the world's first elected female head of government in history**. She served three terms as Prime Minister (1960-65, 1970-77, 1994-2000) and led the Non-Aligned Movement. **Her daughter Chandrika Kumaratunga later became Sri Lanka's first female President.**
**Honored on Sri Lankan currency.**
Sirimavo reduces to six — the number of world's first female PM.