The claim that Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuirya is the first student of Bishop’s College in Colombo to be appointed to the office of prime minister has reportedly been disputed by some historians.

Several historians had reportedly pointed out that the late President J.R. Jayewardene and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had also been students of Bishop’s College. Although Jayewardene and Wickremesinghe are known as students of Royal College in Colombo, they had received a brief early education at Bishop’s College.

Meanwhile, it has also been pointed out that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) is not the first to assume office after receiving formal education from a rural background. It is learnt that the late President D.B. Wijetunga was the first President to have received education in rural schools followed by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Wijetunga had been educated at Walagalla Central College and St. Andrew’s College in Gampola.

Sirisena, after moving to Polonnaruwa from Yagoda in Gampaha, was educated at Royal College in Polonnaruwa.