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BIG STORY MAY 20, 2022 | The Indian Eye 4

SRI LANKA IN CRISIS

ISLAND on FIRE

Amid its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages,
a new government takes charge of the country. Can it improve relations with India as it tries

to put the economy back on track?

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi/Mumbai

anil Wickremesinghe, the
leader of the United Nation-
Ral Party (UNP) of Sri Lan-
ka, took over as the country’s Prime
Minister for a record sixth term on
Thursday to restore stability in the
island nation in the midst of a politi-
cal impasse and unprecedented eco-
nomic crisis.
After three days of curfew in the
Island nation, the defence forces of
Sri Lanka on Tuesday were ordered
by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to
shoot at sight all those who plunder
public property or cause personal
harm.
But on Thursday, the oath-tak-
ing ceremony took place even as the
leader of the Opposition and Samagi
Jana Balawegaya (SJB) head Sajith
Premadasa said that his party will
“devise a strategy” if UNP leader
Ranil Wickramasinghe is made the
prime minister of the country. The The violence on the streets left several people, including Members of Parliament, dead (Agencies)
tables have seemed to turn in Sri
Lankan politics, as just 4 years ago “I have taken on a challenge of of Sri Lanka,” the high commission Sri Lanka at the time. While hold-
in 2018, Wickremesinghe’s fifth term uplifting the economy and I must said in a tweet. ing this portfolio, he was additionally
in power was abruptly brought to an fulfil it,” Wickremesinghe told re- “India’s commitment to the peo- appointed Minister of Education in
end when Sajith Premadasa, then porters. Answering a question on In- ple of Sri Lanka will continue,” it February 1980, the website further
supported by Ranil Wickremesinghe dia-Sri Lanka ties after his appoint- added. said.
was defeated by Gotabaya Rajapaksa ment, he said, “It will become much Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped Having had an early start in
by more than 13 lakh votes in a pres- better.” down as the prime minister on Mon- politics, Wickremesinghe also had a
idential election. “They should stay. We want day, following violent incidents re- young start at what would eventually
Although having taken the role them to stay. If they want to talk, ported between pro-government become a number of small stints as
of the head of the government on five yes,” Wickremesinghe when asked groups and anti-government protest- the Prime Minister of his country.
previous occasions, Wickremesinghe, about the protesters. ers. In May 1993, Ranil Wickremes-
born in an affluent and well-connect- The Indian High Commission Wickremesinghe was first elect- inghe became the Prime Minister of
ed family in 1949, has never com- in Colombo reiterated the country’s ed to the Sri Lankan parliament in Sri Lanka for the first time at a rela-
pleted his term in any of his previous commitment to the people of Sri 1977 at the age of 28 years winning tively young age of 44.
stints. Lanka after Ranil Wickremesinghe the Kelaniya-Biyagama electorate, However, over the course of the
Shortly after being appointed was sworn in as the prime minister. his party United National Party’s next 30 years, the University of Co-
as Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil “High Commission of India (UNP) website said. lombo Law graduate was never able
Wickremesinghe on Thursday said hopes for political stability and looks The following year in Septem- to hold on to power for the entirety
he has taken up the challenge of up- forward to working with the Govern- ber 1978, he was elevated to Cabinet of his term.
lifting the island nation’s crisis-rid- ment of Sri Lanka formed in accor- rank by President Jayawardene, as Wickremesinghe’s sixth stint in
den economy and added that ties dance with democratic processes pur- Sri Lanka’s first Minister of Youth power is unlikely to be a smooth sail
with India will get much better under suant to the swearing-in of Hon’ble Affairs and Employment. He was either, as he takes over the country,
his government. @RW_UNP as the Prime Minister the youngest Cabinet Member in Continued at next page... >>

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