Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Who was Ratnasiri Wickremanayake?
Served twice as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (2000-2001, 2005-2010) and was a key figure in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party for over five decades.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ratnasiri Wickremanayake (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake was born on 5 May 1933 in British Ceylon and became a leading figure in Sri Lankan politics during the late 20th century and the early 2000s. He studied at Hartley College and Ananda College, both known for producing many of Sri Lanka's public figures. His education set the stage for a career marked by dedicated political involvement and a long-standing commitment to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, with which he was linked for over fifty years. He died on 27 December 2016 in Colombo, having seen his country change from gaining independence and nation-building to experiencing a prolonged civil conflict and its aftermath.
Before Fame
Wickremanayake grew up during the last years of British rule in Ceylon, a time that shaped many South Asian politicians who would later lead their newly independent countries. He studied at Ananda College in Colombo, which connected him to a Buddhist nationalist intellectual tradition that greatly influenced the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and its founders. These early experiences shaped his political views and dedication to the SLFP under leaders like Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Mahinda Rajapaksa. His move into formal ministerial roles starting in 1970 came after years of working within the party and building support in the Horana electorate.
Key Achievements
- Served as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 2000 to 2001 under President Chandrika Kumaratunga
- Served a second term as Prime Minister from 2005 to 2010 under President Mahinda Rajapaksa
- Served as Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2002
- Held ministerial positions in the Sri Lankan government continuously from 1970 across multiple administrations
- Represented his constituents as a Member of Parliament for the Horana electorate and later the Kalutara District over several decades
Did You Know?
- 01.He served as Prime Minister on two non-consecutive occasions, making him one of a small number of individuals in Sri Lankan history to hold that office more than once.
- 02.He represented the Horana electorate before later transitioning to represent the broader Kalutara District in Parliament.
- 03.He also held the position of Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2002, meaning he occupied both sides of the parliamentary chamber at different points in his career.
- 04.His ministerial career began in 1970, meaning he held government office across a span of roughly four decades.
- 05.He was educated at Ananda College, a Buddhist school in Colombo that has produced multiple Sri Lankan prime ministers and heads of state.