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.