It is an honour to write this tribute to one I have respected and admired as an exceptional statesman; and had the privilege of knowing longer than most people have, as his very first teacher in the kindergarten at Bishop’s College. It seems that this is now my claim to fame! My mind flies back to that day, when his beautiful, stately mother, the late Nalini Wickremesinghe, handed him over to me in the classroom. I was doing a short stint as the assistant teacher, and it seems strange that although there were several in the class, I remember only him and his lifelong friend, Ananda Atukorale. Perhaps, this was because both were as handsome then as they are now!
Orator
As a child, Ranil was mischievous, as little boys are, friendly and affectionate; in complete contrast to the rather reserved person he is now. I recall him getting his ayah to call me after I left, asking me to return as he didn’t like the new teacher! Ranil always had a memory like that of the elephant, the symbol of his party. This was obvious last year, when he was the orator at the oration to the sisters of St Margaret who founded Bishop’s College. He mentioned the names of the sisters who had headed the school long before his time and mentioned how he watched the Beira Lake being filled during his short time there. His mother was the first Buddhist head girl of the school, while his grandmother and great grandmother had also been Bishopians. His family has had a formidable record of service to the country.
Ranil’s great grandmother, the late Helena Wijewardene is remembered for building the Kelaniya temple and her other unprecedented largesse to Buddhism. His maternal grandfather, the late D.R. Wijewardene, was among those who fought for freedom and began the newspapers with this aim.
His mother was one of the pioneers of the Sinhala Institute of culture and his father, the late Esmond Wickremesinghe, was awarded the golden pen award for his role in fighting for the freedom of the press. His father comes from a prominent Christian family, as did his maternal grandmother, and his father’s brother was the late Bishop Lakshman Wickremesinghe. Both religions were respected in these homes and children learned early to do the same as they grew up in a harmonious atmosphere. It is through these influences that although Ranil is a devout Buddhist, he respects all religions and wants everyone to be free to practise the faith of their choice.
Ranil first qualified as a lawyer and was just 28 years old, when he entered Parliament in 1977, and was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs by his political guru, the late President Jayewardene, who was then our Prime Minister. In 1978 he was promoted as the first Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment, becoming the youngest Cabinet Minister. His commitment and dedication impressed the late President, who gave him the additional portfolio of Education in 1980. He worked hard at his job in improving standards in all respects and among his achievements were initiating radical educational reforms with special emphasis on improving teaching standards in English and Science. He encouraged sports by introducing a schools sports division, to inspire the sense of competition and the pursuit of excellence.
Revision of salaries
It was his brainchild to introduce educational TV and computers to schools and insisted that special attention be paid to the disabled and handicapped students. Teaching services were also improved by him, including the criteria of an educational administrative service and a Principal’s service. It was during his tenure of office as Minister that the Colleges of Education, a National Institute of Education and a realistic revision of salaries was done. The formulation and implementation of the first comprehensive All Island Youth Development Program which promoted youth throughout the nation, were among his achievements as Minister of Youth Affairs. He established the National Youth Centre and reorganized the apprentice training schemes.
Standing out like a beacon in Ranil’s political journey, is his absolute loyalty to all Leaders of the UNP and to his party. His walk has been stormy, but always straight, with patience, endurance and persistence. President Premadasa appointed him as Leader of the House, and Minister of Industries to which Science and Technology were later added, with being appointed Cabinet Spokesman. He was remarkably efficient in all these roles and carried them out to perfection.
The second round of economic liberalization in 1989 was the entire responsibility of Ranil Wickremesinghe. His talent as a strategist came to the fore and several leaps forward took place under his guidance. Industrial infrastructure was developed, investment promotion zones and industrial estates established, while the promotion of the IT Industry was also his brainchild.
Equitable balance
His first date with destiny was in May 1993, when he became Prime Minister after President Premadasa’s demise. The highest levels of economic growth in the decade were recorded at this time. In November 1994, he became the Leader of the UNP and Leader of the Opposition. Many reforms were introduced by him, with extensive restructuring at all levels to ensure more equitable balance in terms of ethnicity, gender and youth. It is to his credit that the majority in the second line of leadership in the UNP are all qualified professionals, which is lacking in other political parties. He became Prime Minister again in December 2001, was responsible for the ceasefire agreement, broke down barriers, and there was freedom and increased investment. Unfortunately, Parliament was dissolved before his plans reached fulfillment and the country suffered long for many years under the dictatorship of one family.
After a long struggle, this dictatorship was defeated and Ranil became PM again in January 2015, and once more, after the Parliamentary Elections in August 2015. He has equalled Dudley Senanayake’s record in being PM four times. A strange quirk of fate, as Dudley and Ranil are the two Sri Lankan leaders I admire and respect most. Ranil has the widest experience among politicians today, and I do hope and pray that with his vision and great sense of history, he will have the chance of nudging his vision into place this time. His journey up the ladder of politics has been slow and steady, in which he has gained immeasurably in experience and knowledge. He has worked hard to renew and mend many international fences, which were in tatters at the time the government changed.
Far from arrogance
As a man, the fingers that point at him accuse of not smiling, of arrogance, of surrounding himself with a few advisors, listening only to them. He is far from arrogance, but ever since he became the UNP leader, he is always in deep thought about his vision and the problems facing the country. He has become reserved and a far more private person than he was in his youth, keeping his feelings under house arrest. I don’t think there is any political leader anywhere, who hasn’t been accused of listening only to a coterie of loyalists! He leads a simple life, unimpressed by the trappings of grandeur. His love for music and reading has led him to a wider cultural understanding. He was a devoted son to his parents, is a concerned brother, a supportive husband, a fond uncle and a good employer. He may not smile and pat one on the back, but will not stab one in the back.
He will never lie to achieve his ends and that in the end is what really matters. He has excellent negotiating skills, is calm and cool in spite of stress and pressure, is a known workaholic with some steel behind that cool patrician composure. I wish him well in this, his fortieth year in politics, hope and pray daily to God to give him the strength and bless him with good health to achieve his worthy objectives for our country, which will be for the good of one and all.