Bandaranaike is the mother of President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who herself survived a suicide assassination attempt Dec. 18, just days before narrowly winning a second six-year term.

CNN: ASIANOW - Asiaweek | Daily Briefing: Liberation or Death

But in 1956, four years after Senanayake's death, Solomon Bandaranaike, the late father of President Chandrika Kumaratunga, swept to power on a pledge to elevate Buddhism and Sinhalese, the main religion and language, to pre-eminent positions.

CNN: CENTURY OF LIBERATION