Ranil Wickremesinghe

ModernPoliticianSri Lanka1949 — ?

Sri Lankan prime minister and president.

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Quick Facts

Born

1949

Country

Sri Lanka

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)26

Political (20%)45

Influence (20%)55

Legacy (20%)46

Leadership (15%)68

Strategy (15%)60

Total Score50.7

Ranil Wickremesinghe — Complete Timeline

1987 AD

Signed the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace AccordPolitical Action◆ Major

As a key negotiator, Wickremesinghe helped finalize the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord, which aimed to end the Sri Lankan Civil War by devolving power to provinces and deploying Indian peacekeeping forces. The accord ultimately failed to bring lasting peace.

Peace accordIndiaCivil war

Impact: regional

1993 AD

Appointed Prime Minister for the first timePolitical Action◆ Major

Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by President D.B. Wijetunga, following the assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. He led the United National Party government, beginning a long political career marked by multiple terms.

Prime MinisterUNPSri Lanka

Impact: national

2005 AD

Lost the 2005 presidential electionPolitical Action◆ Major

Wickremesinghe, as the UNP candidate, lost the presidential election to Mahinda Rajapaksa. The defeat was partly attributed to a boycott by the Tamil Tiger rebels, which suppressed voter turnout in the north and east. This loss kept him out of power for several years.

Election lossRajapaksaUNP

Impact: national

2022 AD

Became Prime Minister for a sixth timePolitical Action◆ Major

After the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa amid economic crisis, Wickremesinghe was appointed Prime Minister. He later became acting president and then president after Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country. His leadership focused on stabilizing the economy and securing an IMF bailout.

Prime MinisterEconomic crisisIMF

Impact: national