Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake | |
---|---|
රත්නසිරි වික්රමනායක ரத்னசிறி விக்கிரமநாயக்க | |
12th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka | |
In office 19 November 2005 – 21 April 2010 | |
President | Mahinda Rajapaksa |
Preceded by | Mahinda Rajapaksa |
Succeeded by | D. M. Jayaratne |
In office 10 August 2000 – 9 December 2001 | |
President | Chandrika Kumaratunga |
Preceded by | Sirimavo Bandaranaike |
Succeeded by | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
11th Leader of the Opposition | |
In office 18 December 2001 – 31 January 2002 | |
President | Chandrika Kumaratunga |
Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
Preceded by | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
Succeeded by | Mahinda Rajapaksa |
Personal details | |
Born | 5 May 1933 British Ceylon |
Died | 27 December 2016 (aged 83) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Political party | Sri Lanka Freedom Party |
Other political affiliations | United People's Freedom Alliance |
Spouse | Kusum Wickremanayake |
Children | Vidura Wickremanayake (son) |
Profession | Politician |
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake (
Wickremanayake held many ministerial positions in the Sri Lankan government, beginning in 1970.
Early life
Wickremanayake was educated in Millewa Primary School, Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, Hartley College, Point Pedro and Ananda College, Colombo[2] and later as a student joined Lincoln's Inn to become a Barrister of Law,[2] but ultimately chose to enter politics rather than appear for the exam.[3] During his time in United Kingdom he was elected president of the Ceylon Students' Association in the United Kingdom in 1955.[3]
Early political career
Wickremanayake entered politics in 1960.[4][5] He was elected to the legislature in 1960, from Horana for the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (then a part of the People's United Front alliance).[4][5] Wickremanayake joined the SLFP in 1962.[6] He was re-elected twice (in 1965 and 1970) to the legislature for Horana from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).[6]
Wickremanayake received his first ministerial appointment in 1970,
In the general elections of 1994, Wickremanayake won the Kalutara District seat and then became Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Plantation Industries in the government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga.[5][6]
Prime Minister and Opposition leadership
Wickremanayake first served as Prime Minister from August 2000 to December 2001,[1] succeeding Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who resigned from the position at the age of 84.[9] He was sworn into office on 13 October 2000.[10] He escaped an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber during the 2001 election.[10] He lost his premiership role in December 2001 when his party lost to the opposition party, United National Party, by taking 109 of the 225 Parliament seats.[10]
Wickremanayake was the senior vice-president of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).[11]
After the SLFP won the
During Presidency of
During his first tenure as Prime Minister, he refused to consider talks with the
During his tenure as the Leader of the Opposition in 2002, Wickremanayake "openly supported unconditional dialogue with the LTTE."[18] On 5 February 2010, he told the Parliament that his government offered the LTTE group amnesty in exchange for surrendering themselves, refused ceasefire appeals from international bodies, and "vowed to crush those who fight on."[19]
Death
On 21 December 2016, Wickremanayake was admitted to a private hospital in Colombo. He died on 27 December 2016 at the age of 83 due to an unspecified illness.[14][20][21] He was serving as the Senior Advisor to President Maithripala Sirisena at the time of his death.[5][22]
See also
References
- ^ a b Santiago, Melanie (11 June 2015). "Update: Two former prime ministers appointed senior presidential advisers". News First. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ a b Abeynaike, H. B. W.; Ameratunga, H. P. (1970). The Ceylon Daily News: Parliament of Ceylon, 1970. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. p. 61. Alternative results.
- ^ a b Wickremanayake, Ratnasiri (19 March 2010). "Looking back on 50 years". Daily News (Interview). Interviewed by Chaminda Perera. Sri Lanka. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ ISBN 9781442255852.
- ^ a b c d Balachandran, P K (27 December 2016). "Former Sri Lankan PM Wickremanayake passes away". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ratnasiri new Prime Minister". Daily News. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ a b Rajapaksa, Mahinda (1 February 2006). "Leaders". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Funeral of former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake with state patronage on Saturday". Independent Television Network (ITN) News. 27 December 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-84904-574-2.
- ^ a b c "Voting trends at Sri Lanka's elections". The Nation. Sri Lanka. 28 July 2015.
- ^ "Funeral of former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake with state patronage on Saturday". ITN News. 27 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Wickremanayake appointed new Lankan PM". TamilNet. 21 November 2005. The source claims that Wickremanayake served his premiership from November 1999 to February 2001.
- ^ Data India, Issues 1-26. Press Institute of India. 2004. p. A-6.
- ^ a b "Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, veteran Sri Lankan politician, passes away". The Hindu. 27 December 2016.
- ^ Summary of World Broadcasts: Asia, Pacific, Issues 3960-3971. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2000.
- ^ "Sri Lankans urged to multiply for war". BBC News. 19 June 2001.
- ISBN 9781845450441.
- ISBN 978-0-226-64565-0.
- ISBN 9781136197000.
- ^ "President, other take to Twitter to condole Ratnasiri Wickremanayake 's demise". Sunday Times. 28 December 2016.
- ^ "Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ratnasiri Wickremanayake passes away". Colombo Page. 27 December 2016.
- ^ "Funeral of former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake with full state honors". Colombo Page. 27 December 2016.