Ranil Wickremesinghe

Ranil Wickremesinghe
Born	24 3, 1949
Birthplace	Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Title	9th President of Sri Lanka (2022–2024)
Known for	9th President of Sri Lanka, five-time Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Leader of the United National Party
Education	LL.B., University of Ceylon; Ceylon Law College

Ranil Wickremesinghe (Template:Lang-si; Template:Lang-ta; born 24 March 1949) is a Sri Lankan politician and lawyer whose career has spanned nearly five decades at the highest levels of government. He served as the ninth President of Sri Lanka from 21 July 2022 to 23 September 2024, and previously served as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on five separate occasions—in 1993–1994, 2001–2004, 2015–2018, briefly in 2018–2019 following a constitutional crisis, and again in 2022. Born into a prominent political family in Colombo, Wickremesinghe studied law at the University of Ceylon and the Ceylon Law College before entering politics with the United National Party (UNP) in the mid-1970s. He was first elected to Parliament in 1977 and rose through a succession of ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Industry, Science and Technology. He has led the UNP since 1994, making him one of the longest-serving leaders of a major political party in Sri Lankan history. His presidency came about in extraordinary circumstances: he was elected by Parliament following the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the 2022 political and economic crisis. He is recognised as the eighth executive president of Sri Lanka, a role established by the 1977 constitutional amendment that expanded presidential powers. In the 2024 presidential election, Wickremesinghe stood as a candidate but finished in third place, receiving 17.27% of the vote, and was succeeded by Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Early Life

Ranil Wickremesinghe was born on 24 March 1949 in Colombo, then part of the British Crown Colony of Ceylon. He came from a family with deep connections to Sri Lankan politics and public life. His family background afforded him early exposure to the political currents shaping post-independence Ceylon, and he grew up during a period of significant social and constitutional transformation in the country.

Details of Wickremesinghe's childhood and formative years indicate that he was educated at prominent institutions in Colombo. His upbringing in a politically aware household is widely cited as a formative influence on his decision to pursue a career in public service. The political environment of 1950s and 1960s Ceylon, marked by debates over language policy, economic direction, and constitutional reform, formed the backdrop of his youth.

Wickremesinghe's family ties to the UNP and the broader centre-right political tradition in Sri Lanka would later prove instrumental in his entry into active politics. By the time he completed his secondary education, he had developed an interest in law and governance that would guide his subsequent academic and professional path.

Education

Wickremesinghe pursued his higher education at the University of Ceylon, where he obtained a law degree. He subsequently enrolled at the Ceylon Law College and qualified as a lawyer in 1972. His legal training provided him with a foundation in constitutional and administrative law that would inform his later political career, particularly during periods of constitutional controversy. After qualifying as an advocate, Wickremesinghe practised law briefly before turning his attention fully to politics within the UNP.

Career

Entry into Politics and Early Parliamentary Career

Wickremesinghe entered politics in the mid-1970s as a member of the United National Party, which at the time was in opposition. He was first elected to Parliament in the 1977 general election, which saw the UNP win a landslide victory under the leadership of J. R. Jayewardene. The 1977 election was a watershed moment in Sri Lankan politics, as the new government subsequently introduced a constitutional amendment creating an executive presidency with expanded powers.

As a young parliamentarian, Wickremesinghe was appointed to a series of ministerial positions. He served as Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the early 1980s. He also held the portfolio of Minister of Industry, Science and Technology. These early ministerial roles allowed him to build a reputation within the party and gain experience across a range of policy areas, from economic development to international diplomacy.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Wickremesinghe remained a prominent figure within the UNP. He navigated the turbulent political landscape of that era, which included ethnic conflict, the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, and internal party disputes. His steady rise within the party hierarchy positioned him as a leading candidate for higher office.

First Term as Prime Minister (1993–1994)

Wickremesinghe first became Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 1993, following the assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa on 1 May of that year. President Premadasa was killed in a suicide bombing attributed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and the political vacuum created by his death led to a reshuffling of the UNP leadership. Wickremesinghe was appointed to the prime ministership by the succeeding president, D. B. Wijetunga.

His first tenure as prime minister was relatively brief, lasting until 1994. During this period, the country remained embroiled in the ongoing civil war with the LTTE, and the government faced mounting pressure on both security and economic fronts. The 1994 parliamentary elections resulted in a defeat for the UNP, and Wickremesinghe was replaced as prime minister by Chandrika Kumaratunga of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), who subsequently won the presidential election that same year.

Leadership of the UNP

Following the UNP's defeat in 1994, Wickremesinghe assumed the leadership of the party. He has led the United National Party continuously since that year, a tenure that has made him one of the longest-serving leaders of a major political party in Sri Lanka. Under his leadership, the UNP experienced significant electoral highs and lows, reflecting the volatile nature of Sri Lankan politics.

Wickremesinghe ran as the UNP's presidential candidate in the 1999 presidential election, but was defeated by the incumbent, Chandrika Kumaratunga. He again stood as the party's candidate in the 2005 presidential election but was narrowly defeated by Mahinda Rajapaksa of the SLFP.

The Batalanda Controversy

Wickremesinghe's political career has not been without controversy. He faced scrutiny in connection with the Batalanda case, which involved allegations of extrajudicial detention and torture at a housing complex in Batalanda during the late 1980s, a period of severe political violence in southern Sri Lanka. The allegations centred on claims that suspected members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) were held and mistreated at the site. The matter was the subject of a presidential commission of inquiry, and the findings generated significant public debate. Wickremesinghe consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with the case, and the issue remained a recurring point of political contention throughout his career.

Second Term as Prime Minister (2001–2004)

Wickremesinghe returned to the prime ministership following the UNP's victory in the December 2001 parliamentary elections. His second term was characterised by efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the civil war with the LTTE. In February 2002, the government entered into a ceasefire agreement with the LTTE, mediated by Norway, which represented the most significant peace initiative in years. The ceasefire led to a series of peace talks, though they ultimately broke down without a lasting settlement.

Economically, Wickremesinghe's second government pursued liberalisation policies and sought international assistance for reconstruction and development. However, political tensions between the prime minister and President Kumaratunga, who remained in office as executive president, created a period of "cohabitation" that hampered governance. In 2003, Kumaratunga took the dramatic step of suspending Parliament and assuming control of several key ministries, precipitating a political crisis. The ensuing disagreements led to the dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections in April 2004, which the UNP lost to the United People's Freedom Alliance led by Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Presidential Candidacies (1999 and 2005)

Wickremesinghe's two unsuccessful bids for the presidency marked significant chapters in his political career. In the 1999 presidential election, he lost to incumbent President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who won re-election despite being injured in a bomb attack during the campaign. In the 2005 presidential election, Wickremesinghe was narrowly defeated by Mahinda Rajapaksa. The 2005 election was notable for the LTTE's call for a boycott of the polls in the north and east of the country, which significantly reduced voter turnout in areas that might have favoured the UNP candidate.

Opposition Years (2004–2015)

Following the UNP's loss of power in 2004, Wickremesinghe led the party in opposition for over a decade. During this period, the political landscape was dominated by the Rajapaksa family, with Mahinda Rajapaksa serving as president from 2005 to 2015. The conclusion of the civil war in May 2009, with the military defeat of the LTTE, significantly bolstered the Rajapaksa government's popularity and left the UNP struggling to regain electoral momentum.

Wickremesinghe faced internal party challenges during these years, with some UNP members questioning his continued leadership after multiple electoral defeats. Several prominent UNP members defected to the ruling coalition during this period. Despite these setbacks, Wickremesinghe retained control of the party and continued to serve as its leader and the leader of the opposition in Parliament.

Third and Fourth Terms as Prime Minister (2015–2019)

In January 2015, a political realignment brought Wickremesinghe back to power. Maithripala Sirisena, a former minister in the Rajapaksa government, defected to challenge Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential election, with the support of the UNP and other opposition parties. Sirisena's surprise victory led to Wickremesinghe's appointment as prime minister, and the two formed a national unity government.

Wickremesinghe's third term as prime minister focused on constitutional reform, economic restructuring, and reconciliation efforts in the aftermath of the civil war. The government passed the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which reduced the powers of the executive presidency and strengthened independent commissions. Economic policy during this period included efforts to attract foreign investment and address Sri Lanka's growing debt burden.

However, the unity government was marked by growing tensions between Wickremesinghe and President Sirisena. On 26 October 2018, Sirisena controversially sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister. This action precipitated a major constitutional crisis, as Wickremesinghe refused to accept his removal and continued to claim legitimacy as the rightful prime minister. The crisis deepened when Sirisena dissolved Parliament and called for fresh elections. The matter was taken to the Supreme Court, which ruled in December 2018 that Sirisena's actions were unconstitutional. Wickremesinghe was subsequently reappointed as prime minister, serving in the role until the end of the government's term in 2019.

The 2018 constitutional crisis was a defining episode in Wickremesinghe's career, as it tested the limits of executive power under the Sri Lankan constitution and drew international attention. The Supreme Court's ruling in his favour was seen as an affirmation of the rule of law and parliamentary sovereignty.

Loss of Parliamentary Seat and Return (2020–2021)

In the August 2020 parliamentary elections, the UNP suffered a catastrophic defeat, winning only a single seat in Parliament. Wickremesinghe himself lost his seat in the Colombo district, marking the first time in his career that he was out of Parliament. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), led by Mahinda Rajapaksa and backed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, won a supermajority.

Despite the electoral setback, Wickremesinghe re-entered Parliament in 2021 as a National List MP, a mechanism that allows parties to appoint members based on their overall vote share. His return to Parliament set the stage for his unexpected ascent to the presidency the following year.

Fifth Term as Prime Minister and Presidency (2022–2024)

In May 2022, Sri Lanka was engulfed in its worst economic crisis since independence. The country faced severe shortages of fuel, food, and medicine, a collapsing currency, and an inability to service its external debt. Mass protests erupted across the country, with demonstrators occupying public spaces and demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the government. Against this backdrop, Rajapaksa appointed Wickremesinghe as prime minister, tasking him with stabilising the economy and negotiating with international creditors.

Wickremesinghe's fifth appointment as prime minister was met with mixed reactions. Supporters viewed him as an experienced hand capable of managing the crisis, while critics questioned the appointment given the UNP's negligible parliamentary representation. On 9 July 2022, protesters stormed the official residences of both the president and the prime minister, forcing Rajapaksa to flee the country. Rajapaksa formally resigned the presidency on 14 July 2022, and Wickremesinghe assumed the presidency in an acting capacity.

On 20 July 2022, Parliament voted to elect Wickremesinghe as the ninth President of Sri Lanka, making him the eighth executive president under the constitutional framework established in 1978. He took office the following day. As president, Wickremesinghe focused on economic recovery, including securing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, restructuring sovereign debt, and implementing fiscal reforms. He also held the portfolios of Minister of Finance and Minister of Defence during parts of his tenure.

Wickremesinghe contested the 2024 presidential election, seeking a full term in his own right. However, he finished in third place with 17.27% of the vote, behind the winner Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the runner-up. He left office on 23 September 2024 and was succeeded by Dissanayake.

Personal Life

Ranil Wickremesinghe comes from a family with extensive ties to Sri Lankan politics and public affairs. He is known for maintaining a relatively private personal life compared to many of his political contemporaries. Publicly available records indicate that he is married to Maithree Wickremesinghe, an academic. The couple does not have children.

Wickremesinghe has been noted for his interest in books and history, and he has spoken publicly on occasions about the importance of constitutional governance and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. His political persona has often been characterised by a cerebral and legalistic approach to governance, in contrast to the more populist styles of some of his political rivals.

Recognition

Wickremesinghe's long career in Sri Lankan politics has brought him considerable international recognition. As a five-time prime minister and president, he has been received by heads of state and government around the world and has participated in numerous international forums, including Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings and United Nations General Assembly sessions.

His role in the 2002 ceasefire agreement with the LTTE brought international attention to Sri Lanka's peace process, and his engagement with international financial institutions during the 2022 economic crisis was closely watched by foreign governments and multilateral organisations.

The 2018 constitutional crisis, in which the Supreme Court ruled his removal from the prime ministership unconstitutional, was noted by legal scholars and international observers as a significant moment for constitutional governance in South Asia.

Legacy

Ranil Wickremesinghe's legacy in Sri Lankan politics is complex and multifaceted. He is one of the longest-serving political leaders in the country's post-independence history, having first entered Parliament in 1977 and served in the highest offices of the state over a period spanning more than four decades. His five terms as prime minister are unmatched in Sri Lankan history, and his elevation to the presidency during the 2022 crisis added a further chapter to an already extensive political biography.

His tenure as UNP leader since 1994 has been marked by both resilience and controversy. He led the party through periods of power and prolonged opposition, surviving multiple internal challenges to his leadership despite the party's declining electoral fortunes. Under his leadership, the UNP's parliamentary representation diminished significantly, culminating in the near-total wipeout of 2020. Critics within and outside the party have attributed these losses in part to his leadership style and electoral strategy.

Wickremesinghe's contributions to constitutional governance, particularly his role in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment and his successful legal challenge during the 2018 constitutional crisis, are cited by legal scholars as important developments in the evolution of Sri Lanka's constitutional framework. His economic stewardship during the 2022 crisis, including the negotiation of an IMF programme, will likely be assessed by historians in the context of the broader structural challenges facing the Sri Lankan economy.

His political career encapsulates many of the defining tensions of post-independence Sri Lankan politics: the balance between executive and legislative power, the challenge of managing ethnic and religious diversity, the pursuit of economic development, and the recurring struggle between democratic norms and political expediency.