Towards the end of September, I attended a UNESCAP-organized conference on Digital Transformation in Jeju Island, South Korea. Within our small group were two distinguished attendees: Nuria Kutnaeva, Minister of Digital Development for the Kyrgyz Republic, and Ivan John E. Uy, Secretary (Minister) of the Department of Information and Communications Technology for the Republic of the Philippines.
During a break in the conference, I had the opportunity for a brief conversation with Secretary Uy. Upon learning that I am from Sri Lanka, he promptly retrieved his mobile device to share a photograph of himself engaged in a cordial discussion with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe “I met him in Uganda” said the Secretary. “A remarkable leader. A true role model for any aspiring political leader.”
Regrettably, the perception of this foreign leader appears to contrast sharply with the views held within the Sri Lankan political landscape. In the recent Presidential Election, Wickremesinghe secured only third place, garnering 17% of the votes, while even his onetime deputy, Sajith Premadasa, received close to 33%.
The electorate that supported Wickremesinghe primarily consisted of former Rajapaksa supporters who appreciated his contributions to economic recovery as well as his ties to the Rajapaksa family.
Before the election, Wickremesinghe’s opponents had been particularly harsh, with social media featuring sarcastic references to him as “Seeya” (grandfather) and “Mutta” (great-grandfather), emphasizing his age and perceived physical frailties.
Furthermore, his habits, including the way he dresses were criticized. He was held accountable for a range of negative developments that occurred during the 76 years since Sri Lanka’s independence.
The nation has largely overlooked his contributions in restoring stability to a country experiencing severe challenges, including daily power shortages of up to twelve hours and extensive queues for petrol, all amidst the most severe economic crisis in two hundred years of Sri Lankan history.
It appears that Wickremesinghe is no longer interested in political office. At least till the General Elections are over he may continue to support his party. Thereafter, at the age of 75, the nearly fifty-year illustrious political career of Ranil Wickremesinghe will end.
W
Wickremesinghe has held office for 47 years, serving as a Member of Parliament for the majority of that time, sans the last two years during which he served as President. He became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka five times, serving under Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena (twice), Chandrika Kumaratunga, and Dingiri Banda Wijetunga.
His ministerial roles have spanned various portfolios, including Defence, Technology, Finance, Women and Child Affairs, Social Empowerment, National Policies and Economic Affairs, Industry, Education, and Youth Affairs and Employment.
Additionally, he has served as the Leader of the Opposition for a total of seventeen years across four different governments. Ultimately, he ascended to the role of the ninth Executive President of Sri Lanka. This distinguished political career is rivalled only by those of Junius Jayewardene and Mahinda Rajapaksa.
If we were to universalize the term, Wickremesinghe could be regarded as one of Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children,” akin to India’s Rajiv Gandhi. The two leaders share several notable similarities. Both were born into arguably the most influential families in their respective countries—Gandhi in 1944 and Wickremesinghe five years later.
They received a Western education and adopted Western lifestyles while remaining connected to their local cultures, often engaging with the populace in their native languages. Their approaches to power have been characterized by a gentler demeanour.
Following Gandhi’s assassination in 1991, a Western correspondent described him as “an innocent victim in the cruel Indian political jungle,” a characterization that could equally apply to Wickremesinghe.
My earliest memories of Wickremesinghe date back to his tenure as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment. In the early 1980s, the Ministry did not hold the significance it possesses today.
Wickremesinghe revitalized the Ministry, giving it a new identity. Under the capable leadership of his former classmate, Charitha Ratwatte, the National Youth Services Council initiated a transformative era in Sinhala music. They released cassette after cassette, effectively competing with the leading local content providers of that time.
This musical revolution produced numerous singers and musicians who quickly became household names, with Chandralekha Perera emerging as a prominent figure. This period marked the first instance in which Wickremesinghe showcased his ability to effect substantial change in any given field.
Wickremesinghe’s contributions did not end there. During his tenure as Minister of Education in Junius Jayawardene’s second administration, he spearheaded the introduction of computer education in schools for the first time. In 1983, I had my first experience with a computer, thanks to his initiative.
Our school was one of ten selected to establish computer labs. We received training on BBC and Sinclair PCs, which laid the foundation for many of my classmates who later pursued careers in information technology. The school computer lab served as their initial exposure to computing.
As the Minister of Industries, his contributions were equally remarkable. My former boss, Amarananda Jayawardena, who served as Wickremesinghe’s secretary at the time, later detailed his significant efforts in developing Sri Lanka’s computer industry, holding him in high regard.
During this period, many leading computer firms in the country emerged. In 1992, the Ministry of Industries, with the support of the nascent computer industry, organized the first INFOTEL exhibition. This event attracted an estimated one million attendees, making it the largest event of its kind on the island at that time.
INFOTEL has since been a catalyst for the development of Sri Lanka’s technology sector, driving innovation, collaboration, and growth over the years. Regarding the Internet, while it is not entirely accurate to refer to Wickremesinghe as the “Father of the Internet in Sri Lanka” (a title more fitting for Prof. Gihan Dias), his initiatives were crucial. His efforts led to the connection of Sri Lanka to the SEA-ME-WE cable in the early 1990s, paving the way for commercial and unrestricted Internet access in the country a few years later.
In 1993, Wickremesinghe experienced a significant turning point in his political career. His political maturity became evident during the impeachment efforts against President Premadasa and following his assassination. Despite his background, which might have aligned him more closely with Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake, Wickremesinghe chose to wholeheartedly support Premadasa, a decision for which he was later rewarded by the United National Party. Notably, he was responsible for delaying the announcement of the President’s death until Dingiri Banda Wijetunge was sworn in as his successor. Wijetunga selected him as his Prime Minister. Wickremesinghe was barely 44 years old; too young to have experience in traditional Sri Lankan politics of the times.
Unfortunately, luck was no longer on Wickremesinghe’s side. While his first term as Prime Minister was largely uneventful, his second term under President Chandrika Kumaratunga significantly diminished his popularity. He believed that the resolution to the ethnic crisis could be achieved through negotiations with the rebels.
This perspective was understandable, as Wickremesinghe has consistently advocated for peace over conflict. He may have considered the potential limitations of the armed forces, with many believing that a military operation against the LTTE would lead to significant bloodshed; an outcome that partially materialized later.
Regrettably, the LTTE did not adhere to the principles of negotiation he anticipated. They overestimated their military power. By 2005, it became increasingly apparent that peace talks were unlikely to succeed. Consequently, the Sri Lankan electorate made a decisive choice to grant power to Mahinda Rajapaksa, who addressed the issue of terrorism in his manner. In hindsight, it was beneficial for the country that Wickremesinghe lost the election in 2005; however, he would continue to grapple with the unpopularity he incurred during that period for many years to come.
I
In my assessment, one of the most detrimental political decisions made by Ranil Wickremesinghe was his support for Maithripala Sirisena’s candidacy for the presidency in 2015. This decision appeared to be more of a power play rather than a strategic political move. It did not align with the expectations of a leader of Wickremesinghe’s stature. Appointing an individual lacking the requisite capability for serious governance roles lacked rationale and foresight.
The subsequent five years were marked by a series of administrative failures, culminating in the tragic Easter bomb attacks, which underscored the administration’s vulnerabilities. Had prudent decisions been made during this period, it is conceivable that the economic difficulties experienced in 2022 could have been averted.
Unfortunately, such measures were not implemented, and the Yahapalana government exacerbated the situation by increasing the nation’s debt burden. Arjuna Mahendran, the former investment banker, appointed by him as the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, inflicted irreversible harm on the financial system.
This brings us to the recent past. It is widely recognized, or at least believed, that Wickremesinghe played a significant role in the temporary resolution of the economic crisis that occurred in 2022. Assuming office on July 20, 2022, during a period of significant political and economic turmoil, he focused on restoring peace and stability, which were essential for economic recovery.
One of his primary goals was to stabilize the economy, and he prioritized securing a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help manage the country’s debt. Wickremesinghe also backed economic reforms aimed at attracting investment and moving towards an export-oriented economy.
Under Wickremesinghe’s leadership, Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves increased to around $3.7 billion by July 2023, compared to $1.9 billion in May 2022. Additionally, inflation, which had peaked at 69% in September 2022, was brought down to 12% by June 2023, and to a mere 1% in the last month of his administration. The availability of essential items like fuel and food improved significantly.
Despite facing criticism for his close ties with the Rajapaksa family and for suppressing political dissent, Wickremesinghe’s administration managed to bring a degree of political stability, which was crucial for economic recovery. Overall, his efforts were instrumental in steering Sri Lanka towards a path of economic stabilization and recovery.
The decision by Sri Lankan voters not to elect Ranil Wickremesinghe for another five-year term could be viewed through various lenses, but whether they were “too harsh” depends on perspective. While he took the essential steps, many voters likely judged him based on the immediate hardships they were experiencing, including inflation and shortages. Poverty headcount was doubled from 13% to 26% during the two years he headed the government.
Moreover, Wickremesinghe’s leadership style, often viewed as technocratic and intellectual, didn’t always resonate with a broad swath of the electorate. His support base has historically been more urban and elite, leaving him disconnected from rural voters and the wider population.
Further, Wickremesinghe was perceived by many as being too closely tied to the political elite, especially the Rajapaksa family, which may have undermined his credibility among those looking for a complete departure from the traditional power structure.
Given the broader public disillusionment with the political establishment following the economic collapse, voters likely sought new leadership and fresh faces. While his loss may seem harsh considering his efforts, from a voter’s perspective, it reflected a desire for immediate relief and a departure from entrenched political figures.
Even his most stringent critics would likely concede that Ranil Wickremesinghe merits recognition for his contributions to the country, despite not being the ideal leader we envisioned. Unfortunately, a segment of society continues to politically criticize him without acknowledging this. Perhaps the best course of action is to extend our wishes to him for a happy and healthy retirement in the years to come.
Chanuka Wattegama [email protected] is a policy researcher. The views expressed are personal.