Ranil Wickramasinghe | The Dictator

Ranil Wickramasinghe | The Dictator

Ranil Wickramasinghe, a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics has been a significant player in the country's political landscape for several decades. He has served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on three separate occasions, with his most recent tenure ending in 2019. Wickramasinghe's political career has been marked by both significant accomplishments and controversies, with his supporters and detractors holding strong opinions about his legacy.

Born in 1949, Wickramasinghe was educated at Royal College in Colombo before pursuing his undergraduate studies at the University of Ceylon, where he obtained a degree in law. He went on to complete his postgraduate studies at the University of Sussex in the UK, where he earned a master's degree in economics.

Wickramasinghe's political career began in earnest in 1977 when he was first elected to the Sri Lankan Parliament as a member of the United National Party (UNP). He went on to hold a number of senior positions within the party, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Education, and Leader of the Opposition.

In 1993, Wickramasinghe was appointed as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the first time, a position he held until 1994. During his tenure, he implemented a number of significant economic reforms, including the liberalization of the Sri Lankan economy and the introduction of a floating exchange rate system.

Wickramasinghe's second tenure as Prime Minister began in 2001 and lasted until 2004. During this time, he oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which brought an end to the country's long-running civil war. However, the ceasefire was short-lived, and the conflict resumed in 2006.

Wickramasinghe's most recent tenure as Prime Minister began in 2015 and lasted until 2019. During this time, he implemented a number of significant reforms, including the establishment of independent commissions to oversee key government institutions and the strengthening of Sri Lanka's democratic institutions.

Despite his accomplishments, Wickramasinghe's political career has not been without controversy. He has been accused of being aloof and out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Sri Lankans, and his handling of the economy has been criticized by some as being overly focused on liberalization at the expense of social welfare programs.

In conclusion, Ranil Wickramasinghe has been a significant figure in Sri Lankan politics for several decades, serving as the country's Prime Minister on three separate occasions. While his legacy is a subject of debate among Sri Lankans, there is no denying the impact he has had on the country's political and economic landscape.