COLOMBO – Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ruled out a return to the helm of the country’s leadership, citing his current absence from Parliament as a constitutional barrier. Addressing a group of youth at an event marking the 120th birth anniversary of the late President J.R. Jayewardene on Thursday, Wickremesinghe clarified that he is not in a position to assume national responsibility at this juncture.
The former President’s remarks came in direct response to questions from the younger generation regarding his political future and his perspective on the nation’s direction. While dismissing a potential comeback, Wickremesinghe urged the youth of Sri Lanka to step forward and embrace the mantle of leadership.
“I cannot take over the nation now as I am not in Parliament,” Wickremesinghe stated. He challenged the audience to redefine the country’s trajectory, noting that the mindset of his own generation is no longer sufficient to navigate modern challenges. “The youth should be prepared to take leadership. I don’t know how Gen Z thinks of politics, but the thinking pattern of my generation will not help the country now. It is the young generation who have to think about the future,” he added, emphasizing that the country’s upcoming centenary of independence serves as a critical milestone for the youth to shape the nation’s destiny.
Beyond the topic of leadership, the former President offered a grim assessment of the current economic climate. He warned that Sri Lanka is sliding toward another economic downturn, pointing out that citizens have exhausted their financial reserves. “People had to spend the money they had hidden under their mattresses during 2022 and 2023. Their savings are gone today. Inflation has increased; one has to sell the mattress you sleep on to survive,” he cautioned.
Reflecting on his tenure, Wickremesinghe defended his decision to step into power during the height of the 2022 ‘Aragalaya’ protests. He asserted that had he and his colleagues not accepted the responsibility at that volatile moment, the future of the nation would have been bleak.
The event also served as an opportunity for the former President to honor the legacy of J.R. Jayewardene, who he credited with teaching him the virtues of patience and the inevitability of political cycles. Recalling early career challenges, including pushback against education reforms, Wickremesinghe shared lessons on resilience. “One cannot achieve victory without defeat. One cannot hold on to power forever. President Jayewardene told us to be prepared to go to the opposition one day. You have to taste defeat as well,” he remarked.
Highlighting the stark contrast between his own youth and the present day, Wickremesinghe underscored the progress made since the era of limited infrastructure, noting that while the world has undergone rapid transformation, the necessity for visionary, committed leadership remains constant.
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