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Leader of the Opposition, Parliament Sri Lanka

Political Career Serving the Nation

Ranil was elected to Sri Lanka Parliament at the General Election in 1977 at a young

age of 28 years representing the newly constituted Biyagama electorate. The injustice of

the government take-over of Lake House (the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.),

the leading newspaper house in the island, owned by his family, propelled him into the

hub of Sri Lankan politics in 1973. Since then, he had been active in grassroots United

National Party politics, organizing the UNP Youth League and the National Lawyers

Association as well as the Jathika Adhyapanika Sevake Sangamaya.

In 1977, Ranil was appointed the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the first

Government headed by President J R Jayawardene. The following year in September

1978, he was elevated to Cabinet rank by President Jayawardene, as Sri Lanka’s first

Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment. He was then the youngest Cabinet Member

in Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, recognising his youthful Minister’s dynamic vision, initiative

and energy, President Jayawardena gave him the onerous responsibility of the Ministry

of Education in 1980 in addition to the Youth Affairs portfolio.

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Though a lesser man may have caved in under such grave responsibilities, the young

minister thrived on the job. During his tenure as the Minister of Education, he initiated

radical educational reforms aimed at the qualitative improvement of school education

so as to harness the talents of children from an early age. There was a special focus on

improving the teaching of English and Science. Fast realizing the significance of

information technology, Ranil commenced educational TV and introduced computers to

schools. A system of giving annual grants to local Pirivena schools was also initiated by

him. Ranil also activated major improvements in the teaching service, which included

the criteria of an Education Administrative Service, a Principals’ Service and the

recruitment of teachers through examinations. The salaries of the education sector were

also realistically revised during this period. A School Sports Division was introduced to

encourage sports and the education of the handicapped and disabled received special

attention.

Ranil re-organised the Industrial Apprentice Training Scheme, and rapidly expanded

the number of trainees in the island. He also promoted technical training in temples,

with one of the first institutes being the Sri Jinaratana Technical Training Institute of

the Gangaramaya. His graduate placement scheme was hundred percent successful

leading to the employment of all graduates associated with it. During his tenure, the

country saw the establishment of the Colleges of Education of Hapitigama,

Nittambuwa, Passduwa, Mahaweli, Nilwala, Bandarawela, Sripadha and he negotiated

for the Vavuniya College of Education. He also set up the National Institute of

Education.

As Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment, Ranil reorganised, strengthened and

expanded the National Youth Services Authority so as to revitalise the National Youth

Service Council after seven years of deterioration. The main objective of the first

comprehensive all-island Youth Development Programme was to give youth a place in

society. This was done through the promotion of youth clubs throughout the country, as

well as through regular Youth Camps – Yowunpura - in different parts of the island such

as Pollonnaruwa, Kuliyapitiya, Matale, Anuradhapura, Bandarawela. Participants for

these youth camps came from all over the country (including the north and east); they

still bear testimony to the friendship and leadership as well as team spirit, a sense of

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adventure, a readiness for challenge, and an appreciation of nature developed during

those times. Ranil also launched the National Youth Award Scheme to reward youth

initiatives and talents in many fields. In 1988, after several months of negotiation with

the Japanese government, he was able to construct the largest Youth Centre in Asia (at

the time) in Maharagama.

One event that Ranil holds dear to his heart during this period, was a visit to Jaffna in

1979, with the then Minister of Fisheries, Mr. Festus Perera. Unlike in today’s political

climate, when politicians zoom around in tinted cars, surrounded by security, the two

Ministers were able to cycle in and around Jaffna on bicycles - to meet people and

discuss their day to day needs.

As MP for Biyagama - one of the least developed electorates in the Gampaha district,

Ranil started to dramatically change the landscape of the area with brand new roads,

electrification schemes, water and sanitation projects, schools and community centres

and other infrastructure inputs befitting a model suburb of the 21st century. He

established the Biyagama Free Trade Zone to provide employment in various industries

for thousands of young men and women. Among some of the other projects instituted by

him were the Sapugaskanda Industrial Estate, the CEB Thermal Power station, the

Sapugaskanda new town, the Kaduwela / Biyagama bridge, the two new police stations

of Sapugaskanda and Biyagama, vocational training schemes, and the Youth Centre at

Heyatudowa. He also allocated land to build the first private sector thermal power

station in Sapugaskanda so as to supplement the country’s increasing energy needs.

When the new President, Ranasinghe Premadasa formed his Cabinet in February 1989,

Ranil, a well-seasoned legislator by then, was appointed the Leader of the House in

Parliament. He was also appointed as the Minister of Industries. Later, in March 1990,

the functions of Science and Technology were added to his portfolio of Industries. He

became the Chief Media Spokesman for the Cabinet in March 1991.

As Leader of the House in Parliament, Ranil managed the government’s legislative

business during President Premadasa’s regime with remarkable efficiency and

astuteness.

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Ranil was responsible for Sri Lanka’s second round of economic liberalisation that

commenced in 1989. The strategy for industrialisation was to liberalise the financial

sector, de-regularised many other quarters and privatise state enterprises. He did so,

firstly, by legislating the Industry Promotion Act to establish Industrialisation

Commission and the Regional Industrial Services Centres. These provided the requisite

infrastructure to establish industries in the rural areas. This paved the way for President

Premadasa’s 200 garment factories to be taken to the village. A number of Industrial

Estates were created around the island including Pannala and Horana; the key one being

the Seethawaka Industrial Estate.

Fully understanding the need to keep up with the rest of the world, he actively

promoted the computer and information technology industries in Sri Lanka. A

significant development was INFOTEL LANKA, the first regional Information

Technology Exhibition and Conference organised in Sri Lanka.

Ranil was also the President of the Jathika Wathu Kamkaru Sangamaya, through which

he organized labouring estate workers.

By this time, he had gained an impeccable reputation for honesty and his integrity was

unquestionable. More than anything else, his reputation for loyalty and honour in an era

of dirty politics was exemplar. During the impeachment motion of President

Premadasa, Ranil supported President Premadasa through the crisis.

In May 1993, Ranil unexpectedly became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, after the

tragic demise of President Premadasa. In the chaos following the assassination, Ranil

was instrumental in taking charge of the events and facilitating the swift swearing in of

the then Prime Minister Wijetunge.

In the capacity as Prime Minister, he strengthened Sri Lanka’s bilateral and multilateral

ties with other nations in the region and the Commonwealth. The country’s highest

levels of economic growth for the decade were recorded during Ranil’s term as the

Prime Minister. He continued as Prime Minister until the General Elections of 1994,

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when the UNP voted out after 17 years in power. At the time and even later, in 2004, he

was commended for relinquishing office without ado once the people's verdict was made

known.

In November 1994, Ranil became the Leader of the United National Party and the

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. Under his leadership, the UNP undertook

extensive restructuring at institutional and grassroots levels and further democratised

the Party to represent a more equitable balance in terms of ethnicity, gender and youth.

Women political activists of the UNP Women's League were brought together under

the Lak Vanitha banner, while the UNP Youth League was renamed and reorganised as

the Yowun Peramuna.

The era of leadership in the Opposition was marked by Ranil’s extreme fortitude and

tolerance, sometimes, taxing the patience of his party people. It was his primary

concern to reform and strengthen the UNP that had by then developed many internal

splits. His reputation as a gentleman in politics remain unchallenged, so much so, that it

was remarked that “he said what he was going to do and did what he said he would do”

(kiyana dhe karana, karana dhe kiyana), a slogan that he later adopted for an election

campaign.

Ranil the Leader of the United National Party and the United National Front was sworn

in as the 12th Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on 9th

December 2001, after having convincingly won the Parliamentary General Elections.

As Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, one of Ranil’s significant achievements was to break

down many ethnic barriers. He was able to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table for

peace talks; and then, to an agreement to search for a solution to the ethic problem

within a united Sri Lanka. Under Ranil’s leadership, the peace process became an

inclusive act gathering the inputs of the marginalized Muslim community, as well as

Tamil, Sinhalese and Muslim women through the Gender Committee. As the decades of

mistrust and racial acrimony began to dissolve with confidence building measures, the

two peoples of the nation began to traverse freely from the South to the North and East

and vice versa. Abandoned religious places were revisited; old landmarks were

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recognised; lost friendships were resurrected. One of the pilgrims to visit the sacred

Kovil of Nallur in the North was Ranil himself - becoming the first prime Minister to

visit to Jaffna in over 20 years.

Ranil was able to galvanise international opinion to assist Sri Lanka, in an ambitious

rehabilitation programme. Confidence in his systematic ‘step by step’ approach to the

peace process and close bonds established with world leaders, led to pledges of US

Dollars 4.5 billion by Japan, EU, US and other donors at the Tokyo Conference, to

finance reconstruction, on the effective implementation of a peace arrangement.

Closer to home, Ranil continued his efforts at strengthening Indo-Lanka friendship,

begun during his years in the Opposition. In the public perception, India was no longer

the evil enemy from over the seas, but a land of goodwill and economic opportunity. For

the Indians, Sri Lanka was no longer a pesky neighbour with continuous internal

problems, but a dignified friend.

When Ranil’s government took over, the country was fiscally ailing under the impact of

negative economic growth of -1.3%. By 2003, the economy had begun to resound with

growth rates of near 7% being recorded. The construction industry was booming, with

investments into small hotels, high-rise apartments, and infrastructure development

projects like the long overdue modernization of the Katunayaka Airport. Tourism had

increased giving those in the industry service charge payments of over Rs. 20,000 a

month; the wayside economies – such as restaurants and boutiques were quickening

with life. The Rupee that was hitting close to 100 for one dollar was brought down to

Rs. 93 per one dollar by 2003.

As Prime Minister, Ranil travelled to many remote villages of the country - sometimes

by foot, to meet people living in trying conditions, to respond to their urgent needs.

This was simply an extension of a lifetime of quietly travelling around the island;

through the vast paddy lands of Ampara and the mountainous tea acres of Poonegala;

through the coastal lagoons of Chilaw and the verdant rains forests of Kalawana;

through the deep southern villages of Hiniduma to the historic sites of Mihintale;

constantly, moving with men and women and children from the Pettah pavement traders

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to Tamil school teachers from Jaffna, from Muslim women from Malwana to fisher folk

in Kirinde, from Sinhala paddy farmers in Maha Oya to women entrepreneurs in

Colombo and school children in Uppuvelli. This has given him a keen understanding of

the ground needs and future aspirations of the people.

During the torrential rains of 2003 and the resultant floods and earth slips, Ranil took a

personal interest in marshalling disaster management forces, and appointed a high-level

team to restore the situation back to normalcy as quickly as possible – ensuring that the

displaced men, women and children were looked after, the damaged infrastructure

restored, houses rebuilt and livelihoods given a boost.

Though embracing all religions Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and their spiritual

activities, Buddhism still occupies a special place in his heart. This was why he took the

initiative to a build a “Ran Vata” for the Sri Maha Bodhi in Annuradhapura. During his

regime, no liquor licences were issues and nor were there new casinos established. The

National Police Commission was established, to ensure impartiality within the police

force.

It is to his credit that Ranil ran a government with a President from an opposing party

heading the country, and a rampant Opposition in Parliament for two years. The

hallmarks of his statesmanship were absolute tolerance, consensus building, strategic

thinking, a vision outside the box, firmness of purpose, decisiveness when required, and

silence at other times. His refusal to lie to his people, his refusal to smile for the

cameras, and his refusal to promise a quick fix to win elections at the detriment of the

country may have cost him victory in 2004.

In April 2004, when President Kumaratunga called for elections, Ranil commanded a

majority in Parliament and had a mandate for another four years. By then, he had just

begun his program of work for the country as was laid down in the election manifesto of

2001. At the elections, his government lost, and today he is once again the Leader of the

Opposition.

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In 2005, Ranil was unanimously chosen by the Party to be the Presidential candidate.

Because of the enforced boycott by the LTTE, Tamil voters in LTTE controlled areas

or areas subject to their influence were denied the opportunity to exercise their right to

vote freely. As a result he narrowly lost by a mere 180,786 votes.

Family

Ranil is the second son of Esmond and Nalini Wickremesinghe. Esmond

Wickremesinghe was an eminent press magnate and one time President of the

International Press Institute and the winner of the Golden Pen of Freedom – the annual

award to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the defence of press

freedom. Nalini Wickremesinghe is associated with promoting the Arts in the island.

She is the daughter of D R Wijewardene – one of the country’s famed freedom fighters

and the press baron who founded Sri Lanka’s largest publishing house Associated

Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. His paternal grandfather C L Wickremesinghe was a highly

respected, top-ranking, government official who left an indelible mark in the country’s

administrative service during the colonial years.

He has three brothers and one sister.

Ranil is married to Maithree Wickramasinghe, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of

English, University of Kelaniya. She is also a visiting lecturer on gender and women's

studies at other educational institutions.

Ranil was born on 24th March 1949. He received his secondary education at Royal

College, Colombo. Thereafter, he graduated from the University of Colombo with a

Degree in Law. In 1972, he enrolled as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

He practised as a lawyer for five years. While at the University, he was actively involved

in student politics, becoming the President of the Law Students Union and the Vice

President of the University Students’ Council.

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Other Commitments and Interests

Today, Ranil counts 27 years as the President of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Dayaka

Sabha. The historic Kelaniya Temple was reconstructed by his great-grandmother

Helena Wijewardene. He is also a member of the Gangaramaya Dayaka Sabha. This

temple was associated with his grandfather D R Wijewardene.

Ranil was honoured internationally by being unanimously elected as the Chairman of

the Asia Pacific Democratic Union – the APDU is part of the International Democratic

Union – which promotes common democratic values in countries where democracy is

fragile or oppressed. He also holds the position of Vice Chairman of International

Democrat Union.

One of Ranil’s greatest interests has been in history. The closest to his heart has been

Sri Lankan history, as well as the story of Buddhist civilisation in the region, though he

is equally knowledgeable about histories of war and peace around the globe. His interest

in Buddhism fuelled him to write the book “Deshapalanaya saha Dharmaya” (Politics

and Buddhism), giving his worldview of the Buddha as the first radical thinker to

espouse the values of democracy, individualism, equality; and the practices of consensus

building, tolerance and non-violence; in tune with free markets and human rights.