By: Adolf
September 23, Colombo (LNW): This piece emphasizes the often-overlooked achievements of President Ranil Wickremesinghe despite his political unpopularity and perceived shortcomings.
It argues that while his political deftness may have been lacking and his image tarnished by unresolved scandals, his economic management laid a strong foundation for the country, one that future administrations, such as the NPP (National People’s Power), will benefit from.
Key contributions attributed to Ranil include:
– Rebuilding foreign reserves from a dire situation to USD 6 billion.
– Stabilizing and strengthening the Sri Lankan Rupee.
– Reducing interest rates significantly, helping businesses and households.
– Successfully restructuring USD 17.5 billion of external debt, giving the country breathing space until 2028.
– Rejuvenating key economic sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and exports, alongside consistent GDP growth.
– Increasing government revenue and revamping social safety nets.
The analysis points out that Ranil’s economic work, while essential, was overshadowed by his political mishandlings, such as the visa scandal, conflicts with the judiciary, and his handling of the Easter Sunday investigations.
These factors may have contributed to his unpopularity, but the author suggests that his contributions to economic stabilization will be recognized, albeit privately, by future administrations.
In essence, it paints a picture of a leader who performed well on the economic front but was hindered by political missteps, which ultimately cost him wider public approval. Sri Lankan electorate is very short sighted and swayed by emotions.
