Ranil Wickremesinghe Biography: Politician, Age, Net Worth, Career, Height, Parents, Children

Ranil Wickremesinghe is a distinguished Sri Lankan lawyer and politician who served as the ninth President of Sri Lanka from 2022 to 2024 and as Prime Minister on six occasions.

As the long-standing leader of the United National Party (UNP) since 1994, he is renowned for his economic reforms and efforts to stabilize Sri Lanka during crises, earning both praise and criticism for his technocratic leadership.

Profile

• Full Name: Ranil Wickremesinghe
• Stage Name: None
• Born: March 24, 1949
• Age: 76 years old
• Birthplace: Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Nationality: Sri Lankan
• Occupation: Lawyer, Politician
• Height: 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
• Parents: Esmond Wickremesinghe ,Nalini Wickremesinghe
• Siblings: Shan Wickremesinghe, Niraj Wickremesinghe, Channa Wickremesinghe, Kshanika Wickremesinghe
• Spouse: Maithree Wickremesinghe (m. 1994)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth:$3 million to USD 5 million

Early Life and Education

Ranil Wickremesinghe, a seasoned lawyer and politician, was born on March 24, 1949, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, into an affluent and politically influential family.

The second of five children to Esmond Wickremesinghe, a lawyer and press baron who led the Lake House Group of Newspapers, and Nalini Wickremesinghe, a patron of Sinhalese drama, he grew up immersed in journalism and politics. His uncle, J.R. Jayewardene, was Sri Lanka’s first Executive President.

Ranil attended the Royal Preparatory School and the Royal College, Colombo, where he served as head prefect.

He graduated with a law degree from the University of Ceylon (now University of Colombo) and qualified as an advocate at Ceylon Law College in 1972, later becoming an attorney-at-law in 1973. His ethnicity is Sinhalese, and his religion is Christianity.

Career

Ranil Wickremesinghe, a prominent lawyer and politician, joined the United National Party (UNP) in the 1970s, rising through its youth wing. Elected to Parliament in 1977 from Biyagama at the age of 28, he became the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, making him the youngest cabinet minister in Sri Lankan history.

He served as Minister of Youth Affairs and Employment (1977–1980), establishing the National Youth Services Council, and as Minister of Education (1980–1989), introducing reforms in English and technology education.

Appointed Prime Minister in 1993 following the assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa, he led significant economic transformations.

He served as Prime Minister again from 2001–2004, 2015–2018, 2018–2019, and 2022, and as Leader of the Opposition (1994–2001, 2004–2015).

Elected President in July 2022 amid an economic crisis, he secured an IMF bailout of $330 million in 2023 but lost re-election in 2024, garnering 17.2% of votes.

His leadership of the UNP since 1994 has faced criticism for alleged authoritarianism, with over 60 MPs leaving the party.

He was also linked to the controversial Batalanda Commission findings on unlawful detentions, although no criminal proceedings followed.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @ranil_wickremesinghe
• Facebook Handle: Ranil Wickremesinghe
• Twitter Handle: @Ranil_W

Personal Life

Ranil Wickremesinghe, a respected lawyer and politician, married Maithree Wickremesinghe, a professor of English and founder of the Centre for Gender Studies at the University of Kelaniya, in 1994.

He stands at 5 feet 11 inches, with a composed demeanor suited to his political roles.

The couple has no children and maintains a private life, with Maithree avoiding the political spotlight until Ranil’s 2015 premiership. A keen reader of history and Buddhism, Ranil has written and spoken on these topics globally.

Net Worth

Ranil Wickremesinghe, an esteemed lawyer and politician, has an estimated net worth of $3 million to $5 million.

His wealth is derived from his legal career, parliamentary roles, and ministerial salaries, including his 2022 presidential salary of LKR 90,000 plus allowances.