Early Life and Education

Ranil Wickremesinghe was born on March 24, 1949, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, into a prominent and influential family. His father, Esmond Wickremesinghe, was a respected lawyer and media executive, while his mother, Nalini Wickremesinghe, came from a well-established political lineage. Ranil studied at Royal College, Colombo, one of the country’s most prestigious schools, and went on to earn a law degree from the University of Ceylon. He later qualified as an advocate and began his career in law before transitioning to politics.

Entry into Politics and Early Roles

Wickremesinghe entered politics in the mid-1970s through the United National Party (UNP), mentored by then-President J.R. Jayewardene. He was elected to Parliament in 1977 and was soon appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held several important ministerial positions during the 1980s and 1990s, including Minister of Youth Affairs, Education, and Industries. His contributions to education reforms and employment generation helped him build a reputation as a pragmatic and forward-thinking leader.

First Terms as Prime Minister

Wickremesinghe first became Prime Minister in 1993 following the assassination of President Premadasa. Although his tenure was brief, he was again appointed Prime Minister from 2001 to 2004. During this period, he negotiated a ceasefire with the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) and initiated peace talks. However, tensions with President Chandrika Kumaratunga over the handling of the peace process led to political instability and the eventual dissolution of Parliament.

Return to Power and Constitutional Reforms

Wickremesinghe returned as Prime Minister in 2015 under President Maithripala Sirisena. Together, they passed the 19th Amendment, which reduced executive powers and strengthened democratic checks and balances. He pursued good governance, transparency, and economic reform, although his tenure was marred by internal party divisions and slow progress on promised reforms. In 2018, a constitutional crisis erupted when President Sirisena attempted to remove him as Prime Minister and replace him with Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Supreme Court later reinstated Wickremesinghe, reinforcing democratic norms.

Leadership During Economic Crisis and Presidency

In 2022, Sri Lanka was plunged into its worst economic crisis in decades, marked by severe shortages and widespread protests. After Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned, Wickremesinghe was appointed Prime Minister once again. Following President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, Wickremesinghe was elected by Parliament as President in July 2022. He undertook tough economic measures, including securing an IMF bailout and introducing tax reforms to stabilize the economy. His leadership helped restore a degree of normalcy, but also attracted criticism due to austerity and his perceived association with the previous regime.

Political Ideology and Legacy

Ranil Wickremesinghe is widely regarded as a liberal, pro-business, and pro-Western statesman. His commitment to parliamentary democracy, legal process, and international diplomacy has made him a key figure in Sri Lankan politics for over four decades. Despite frequent political setbacks, he has demonstrated remarkable resilience and longevity.

Conclusion

Wickremesinghe’s legacy is one of experience, endurance, and technocratic leadership. Whether he will be remembered as a stabilizing reformer or a symbol of the old political guard depends on the long-term outcome of Sri Lanka’s recovery under his leadership.