Dr Harini Amarasuriya spoke at St Antony’s College on Tuesday, May 19, as part of the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) Annual Lecture.

Her address, titled ‘The politics of development: Sri Lanka and beyond,’ explored the realities of development policy in practice, with a focus on governance, gender equality, and the influence of grassroots women’s groups on political participation in Sri Lanka.

Professor Diego Sanchez-Ancochea, head of department at OSGA, said: “We were honoured to welcome Dr Amarasuriya to Oxford to deliver the OSGA Annual Lecture.

“She offered an important and timely reflection on the relationship between politics and development, drawing on both scholarly insight and direct political experience.”

During the lecture, Dr Amarasuriya discussed how development theory collides with the complexities of real-world politics.

She considered her role as Sri Lanka’s third female prime minister and the country’s ongoing efforts to recover from its recent economic crisis.

As a social anthropologist, activist, and development practitioner, Dr Amarasuriya drew on her extensive experience to highlight the challenges of implementing reform in complex political environments.

She also emphasised the importance of productive engagement between international agencies and domestic institutions.

The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, covering topics such as judicial independence, the pace of political change, and the balance between academic ideals and political pragmatism.

The OSGA Annual Lecture is the department’s flagship event, designed to bring leading academics, policymakers, and practitioners to Oxford to reflect on contemporary global challenges.

Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sara moved to Vancouver, Canada, as a refugee before returning to her country of birth for most of her 20s.

It was then that she co-founded civic technology start-up Ehtesab before moving on to become the CEO of Civaam.

At the age of just 25 years old, she was recognised as one of TIME Magazine’s Next Generation Leaders in 2021.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Sara Wahedi reflects on life in Oxford and studying at the university

Graduated from Oxford University today.

We made it to the finish line. 🎓 pic.twitter.com/pG8t2S7APB

— Sara Wahedi (@SaraWahedi) May 24, 2026

Having completed her undergraduate studies at Columbia University in New York City, Ms Wahedi became a Clarendon Scholar at Oxford University in 2024.

Having undertaken a Master of Public Policy (MPP), the 29-year-old has now graduated from the prestigious institution.

Attending the formal ceremony yesterday (Saturday, May 24), Ms Wahedi shared several photographs across social media.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, she said: “It’s been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life to study at Oxford.

“I’m especially grateful to the residents of Oxford and how they make students feel like they are at home, especially when we’re far from our parents.

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Sara Wahedi studied in the city for one year. (Image: Sara Wahedi)

“My mother was there, and it was quite emotional to see her there sitting at the top of the Sheldonian, remembering all she’s done, and having sacrificed her own dreams and aspirations to flee Afghanistan so I could chase my own.”

Ms Wahedi remains focused on the future with her role at the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice.

This institute is a partnership between the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government and the Clooney Foundation for Justice and sees the 29-year-old placed in a research associate role.

Guiding the technology pillar, Sara is now working in a team with the likes of Amal Clooney and Philippa Webb, as well as other lawyers and technologists leading in the space globally.

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Sara Wahedi now works in the city and calls Oxford home. (Image: Sara Wahedi)

“During the graduation ceremony, I was constantly thinking about the privilege and opportunity I had been given, having once been a refugee from Afghanistan, to then study at one of the top universities in the world,” added Ms Wahedi.

“Millions of Afghan women and girls will experience their fifth year, half a decade, of being banned from education by the Taliban.

“My work and mission remain to bring awareness to this horrific human rights violation, and to protect the fundamental right to education for every girl across the world.

“I’m grateful that I get to continue to call Oxford home as I remain committed to our important work in responsible AI deployment at the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice.”

The ABM Skittles Club in Wallingford, Oxfordshire’s only skittles club, will host the Oxford City Flooring Charity Day on Sunday, June 14, as part of its three-day Hildred’s Festival of Skittles.

This year’s event will raise funds for the Wallingford Accessible Boat Club (WABC), a volunteer-led charity that provides free boat trips on the River Thames for elderly and disabled people.

John Jenkins MBE, chairman of WABC, said: “We are delighted to be part of this Festival of Skittles and particularly to be nominated as the beneficiary of the Charity Day.

“Our sincere thanks to ABM Skittles Club for their support.

“Let’s hope for warm sunshine and large crowds – the more the merrier.”

Running from 11am to 5pm, the family-friendly event will include a ‘junior alley’ skittles competition, pub games, food and drink, and a raffle.

WABC operates one of only two accessible boating services on the Thames and the only one on the Upper Thames.

The club’s purpose-built Wheelyboat allows wheelchair users to board safely, travel independently, and even take the helm.

The ABM Skittles Club was founded in 1964 and has more than 200 members, with both summer and winter leagues.