That one that refuses to go away

Tuesday, 11 March 2025 01:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ranil Wickremesinghe, continues to make headlines despite being largely irrelevant to the current pulse of Sri Lankan politics. The latest spectacle, his interview with Mehdi Hasan on Al Jazeera. The interview, which should have been an opportunity for introspection or a demonstration of leadership, but perhaps showcased his inability to come to terms with a bombardment of questions.

Wickremesinghe, a man who has held the offices of both Prime Minister and Executive President multiple times, has long overstayed his welcome in the political arena. His refusal to retire gracefully from public office has been a blemish on his career, turning what could have been a dignified exit into a series of embarrassing missteps. For someone who has spent decades at the helm of Sri Lanka’s political landscape, his lack of self-awareness is staggering. As the recent elections have clearly shown, the electorate has long since rejected him, relegating him to a third-place finish with a mere 17% of the vote. Yet, rather than bowing out with dignity, Wickremesinghe has chosen to claim relevance in a manner that is not only counterproductive but downright disrespectful to the very people he once served.

This disdain for others, particularly the electorate, is cited as a hallmark of Wickremesinghe’s political career. He has suffered multiple electoral defeats resulting in the gradual destruction of the United National Party (UNP), once a dominant political force in Sri Lanka. Under his leadership, the UNP has been relegated to the margins of Sri Lankan politics, with a once-proud institution now in tatters. Wickremesinghe’s relentless pursuit of power, regardless of his party’s decline or the changing political landscape, has demonstrated his unwillingness to step aside when the country so clearly demands fresh leadership.

But it was in his recent interview with Mehdi Hasan that Wickremesinghem, according to his critics, truly revealed the depths of his delusion. At a time when Sri Lanka was grappling with its own economic and social challenges, Wickremesinghe showed arrogance, refusing to acknowledge his many failures and instead attempting to paint himself as a statesman. Far from the image of a seasoned leader, he appeared more like a man in denial, clinging to a vision of himself that no longer exists. Yes there was criticism that Mehdi was aggressive and at times unreasonable but that is his style for which he is well known and the seasoned Wickremesinghe should have known better.

The fact that Wickremesinghe continues to see himself as a key player in Sri Lankan politics, even at this late stage, is perhaps the most tragic aspect of his career. The country has moved on. The people have moved on. Yet Wickremesinghe remains, like a relic of an outdated era, desperately trying to remain relevant.

Many opine that Ranil Wickremesinghe should take a page from the book of his uncle and mentor, J.R. Jayewardene. After completing his tenure as President, Jayewardene knew when to step aside and retire with grace, leaving behind a legacy and allowing the country to move forward. Wickremesinghe, on the other hand, seems determined to do the opposite—to drag out his political career, with no regard for the country or his own legacy.

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