 "Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe?")
Ranil Wickremesinghe
Who is Ranil Wickremesinghe?
Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the President of Sri Lanka on July 20, 2022, amid an economic crisis and mass protests across the country that caused his predecessor Gotabaya Rajpaksha to flee the island nation. He is a member of the Sri Lankan parliament from the centre-right United National Party (UNP) and has held various offices in his career spanning over four decades.
Early life and education
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Latest Updates on Ranil Wickremesinghe
New Sri Lankan govt orders reinvestigation of several high-profile cases
The ruling National People's Power, which won the presidential election last month, pledged to reinvestigate past cases which had not been resolved
 "New Sri Lankan govt orders reinvestigation of several high-profile cases")
Sri Lanka's new govt holds its first Cabinet meeting with only 3 ministers
The new Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath, who holds multiple ministries, said that he, along with the newly-appointed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the prime minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya
Ahead of new election, many in Sri Lanka still waiting for change
Wickremensignhe has made progress steadying Sri Lanka's economy, but discontent remains strong as he's introduced economic policies that have raised the cost of living
 "Ahead of new election, many in Sri Lanka still waiting for change")
Sri Lanka set to go for prez election on Sept 21, puts end to speculations
Wickremesinghe stood firm in his commitment to implement reforms and has vowed to steer the country out of bankruptcy
 "Sri Lanka set to go for prez election on Sept 21, puts end to speculations")
Wickremesinghe rules out another salary hike for govt employees this year
He emphasised the need for fiscal responsibility, cautioning that further salary increases without proper planning could cripple the government, the report said
 "Wickremesinghe rules out another salary hike for govt employees this year")
Debt restructuring deal aids Sri Lanka's economic revival: Wickremesinghe
Earlier last week, President Wickremesinghe announced that debt restructuring agreements were finalised with bilateral lenders, including India and China, in Paris on June 26
 "Debt restructuring deal aids Sri Lanka's economic revival: Wickremesinghe")
Wickremesinghe defends Sri Lanka's debt restructuring deal amid criticism
Dismissing the Opposition's criticism as inaccurate, Wickremesinghe argued that no bilateral creditor would agree to a reduction of principal amount
Modi's swearing-in on June 8: Which global leaders are attending?
Bangladesh's PM Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe are among foreign dignitaries attending Modi's third consecutive term swearing-in ceremony
 "Modi's swearing-in on June 8: Which global leaders are attending?")
Leaders of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, congratulate PM Modi on poll victory
Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also congratulated Modi and NDA for the historic third consecutive win and said he looked forward to working closely with him
 "Leaders of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, congratulate PM Modi on poll victory")
Looking forward to greater economic cooperation with India: Sri Lanka Prez
He further said, 'Information technology is another area that we will be moving fast on and there are many other projects that India and Sri Lanka will have here'
 "Looking forward to greater economic cooperation with India: Sri Lanka Prez")
Sri Lanka govt, Oppn trade barbs over failure to reach bondholder agreement
The main opposition's economy spokesman Harsha de Silva in a statement said they were disappointed with the lack of transparency in the debt restructuring process
Sri Lankan Prez Wickremesinghe instructs Cabinet to prepare for elections
Citing the Constitution, Wickremesinghe, 74, said the presidential election should take place first, and arrangements will be made accordingly
 "Sri Lankan Prez Wickremesinghe instructs Cabinet to prepare for elections")
IOR poised to become economic hub in next 50-60 years: Wickremesinghe
In his address, Wickremesinghe also said that there is a need for extensive trade and economic ties between India and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka debt restructuring makes slow progress even with 1.6% growth rate
He said even under the current negotiations for restructuring, Sri Lanka still has to pay around $3 billion per year
President Wickremesinghe paints positive growth in cash-strapped Sri Lanka
Despite a 7.8 per cent GDP contraction and six consecutive quarters of negative growth in 2022, the nation rebounded with a 1.6 per cent growth rate in the Q3 of 2023, he said
SL achieved economic recovery due to citizens' support: Wickremesinghe
Sri Lanka in April 2022 declared its first ever sovereign default since gaining independence from Britain in 1948
Jaishankar calls on SL Prez Wickremesinghe, discusses bilateral initiatives
Jaishankar is in the Ugandan capital city of Kampala to represent India at the two-day summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which began on Friday
 "Jaishankar calls on SL Prez Wickremesinghe, discusses bilateral initiatives")
India, Sri Lanka discuss early launch of UPI payment system in country
The latest discussion took place on Monday during a meeting between the High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha with the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe
 "India, Sri Lanka discuss early launch of UPI payment system in country")
Sri Lanka Navy ready to send ship to Red Sea to protect merchant vessels
The announcement comes following last week's orders of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had declared the cost as Rs 250 million every fortnight
 "Sri Lanka Navy ready to send ship to Red Sea to protect merchant vessels")
Will deploy naval vessel in Red Sea to fight Houthi attacks: Sri Lanka Prez
Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched more than 20 attacks on merchant ships in recent weeks, claiming to take revenge against Israel for military campaign against Palestinian terror group Hamas in Gaza
 "Will deploy naval vessel in Red Sea to fight Houthi attacks: Sri Lanka Prez")
