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Ratnasiri WickremanayakePrime Minister of Sri Lanka
Date of Birth: 05.05.1933
Country:  Sri Lanka |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political Beginnings
- Entry into Parliament
- Ministerial Career
- Electoral Setback and Revival
- Prime Ministership
Early Life and Education
Ranil Wickremesinghe was born on May 5, 1933, in Sri Lanka. He spent his childhood there and received his primary education at a local school. He then went abroad to attend a prestigious university, where he initially pursued legal studies in the United Kingdom.
Political Beginnings
However, Wickremesinghe realized that a career in law was not his true calling. Instead, he decided to venture into politics. In 1955, he achieved his first political success by becoming Chairman of the Ceylon Students' Association in the United Kingdom. Despite his brother's unsuccessful political career, Wickremesinghe pursued his own aspirations.
Entry into Parliament
In 1960, Wickremesinghe returned to Sri Lanka and was elected to Parliament from the Western Province. He initially represented the Lanka Sama Samaja Party before joining the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). Wickremesinghe's political career flourished. In 1970, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice under Sri Lanka's first female Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
Ministerial Career
Wickremesinghe's competence in office earned him the trust of senior government figures. He held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Plantation Industries in 1975 and Minister of Justice in 1976. His commitment to economic development involved promoting exports and raising incomes.
Electoral Setback and Revival
In 1977, Wickremesinghe suffered an electoral setback. He lost his parliamentary seat. However, he remained resilient. He became increasingly active in the SLFP and in 1978 was appointed its General Secretary. Wickremesinghe played a key role in advancing the party's policies. In 1994, he served as Minister of Home Affairs.
Prime Ministership
Wickremesinghe's political ascent continued. In 2000, he achieved the pinnacle of his political career when he was elected Prime Minister. He was briefly removed from office a year later but was re-elected in 2005.
