Ranil takes charge

Six-time Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s promotion as President, a post he has long coveted but never held in his nearly half-century-long political career, comes in the midst of extraordinary circumstances and monumental challenges. Facing the immediate task of trying to lead the country out of economic collapse and restore public order, his public proclamation of being a friend of the people and not the ousted Rajapaksas is unlikely to stem the tide of protests, for he’s the sole MP of the party he leads and owes his elevation to members of the SLPP, led by the Rajapaksas. His unpopularity could trigger more unrest at a time when Sri Lanka needs political stability, a prerequisite to resume stalled negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package.

Named acting President on July 13 after Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled, he got off to an inauspicious start by declaring a nationwide state of emergency that was defied. The fears of a crackdown on protesters persist if large-scale demonstrations continue. Given his experience, Wickremesinghe, who has a mandate to serve out the current term before elections in late 2024, does have the credentials to bring the country together and address the economic downturn, but the veteran leader faces an uphill task. The initial response to his call to end divisions has been tepid. New Delhi, which has been in the forefront in providing economic assistance to the beleaguered island nation but has adopted a wait-and-watch policy on the political developments, has reiterated to be supportive of the people’s quest for stability and recovery through democratic means while welcoming the election.

It remains to be seen how the new President responds to popular calls to abolish the executive presidency and empower Parliament, as the President enjoys unbridled powers following the passage of the 20th Amendment in 2020. Ranil Wickremesinghe has got his dream job, but his ability to deliver is an open question.

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