Wickremesinghe, Ranil Shriyan [key], 1949–, Sri Lankan political leader. A member of the United National party and party leader (1994–), he was first elected to the Sri Lankan parliament in 1977. He has held several ministerial posts, served as prime minister (1993–94, 2001–2004), and was leader of the opposition (1994–2001, 2004–2015). In Jan., 2015, he led the United National Front for Good Governance coalition to a plurality in the parliamentary elections, and once again became prime minister. In Oct., 2018, however, President Sirisena dismissed him and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa to succeed him, provoking a political and constitutional crisis. Wickremesinghe rejected the move and was reaffirmed as prime minister in December; he resigned the following November after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president.
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