-By A Staff Writer
(Lanka-e-News -31.Jan.2025, 11.00 PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe, the seasoned Sri Lankan politician and six-time Prime Minister, is set to appear on Al Jazeera’s renowned program Head to Head, hosted by the formidable Mehdi Hasan. The program, known for its incisive and often brutal interrogation of global figures, is expected to probe Wickremesinghe on various contentious matters: his role in Sri Lanka’s economic collapse and recovery, his alleged involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, and the nation’s ongoing struggle with corruption. However, as Wickremesinghe prepares for this public showdown, another, potentially graver challenge looms—a possible arrest warrant waiting for him in London.
Human rights organizations have long accused Wickremesinghe of involvement in the notorious Batalanda torture chambers during the late 1980s. These facilities were allegedly used to detain and torture suspected members of the left-wing Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) during Sri Lanka’s brutal insurgency. A Presidential Commission in the 1990s linked Wickremesinghe to the operations of these detention centers, though he was never formally charged. Nevertheless, human rights activists continue to call for accountability.
With his impending visit to London, organizations advocating for justice have reportedly mobilized efforts to seek an arrest warrant under the principle of universal jurisdiction. This legal doctrine allows for individuals accused of serious crimes such as torture and crimes against humanity to be arrested and prosecuted in foreign jurisdictions. The potential for such an action adds a dramatic twist to Wickremesinghe’s international engagement.
Wickremesinghe’s tenure as Prime Minister has been marred by numerous allegations of financial mismanagement, none more infamous than the Central Bank bond scandal. In 2015, under his administration, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was rocked by allegations of insider trading and financial misappropriation involving then-Governor Arjuna Mahendran—a close associate of Wickremesinghe. Billions of Sri Lankan rupees allegedly vanished from the treasury in a deal that many critics argue could have been prevented with proper oversight.
His detractors argue that appointing Mahendran, a man with no prior experience running a central bank, was a reckless decision that ultimately facilitated one of the largest financial scandals in Sri Lankan history. Critics are keen to see if Mehdi Hasan will push Wickremesinghe for answers about this affair and his broader economic policies, which have been accused of exacerbating Sri Lanka’s financial instability.
Another thorn in Wickremesinghe’s political career has been his approach to privatization. During his tenure, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were either sold or planned for sale, with many of these deals raising concerns about transparency and national interest. Some critics allege that Sri Lanka’s economic decline was further hastened by these transactions, which they claim favored foreign investors—particularly Indian conglomerates—at the expense of the Sri Lankan public.
Given the ongoing economic hardships in Sri Lanka, where inflation, fuel shortages, and debt restructuring continue to dominate the national discourse, Wickremesinghe’s economic policies are expected to be a major topic of discussion on Head to Head. The critical question remains: Did he save the economy from total collapse, or did his actions set the stage for an even deeper crisis?
Another sensitive topic that is likely to arise is Wickremesinghe’s handling of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which claimed the lives of over 250 people. As Prime Minister at the time, Wickremesinghe was accused of failing to act on intelligence warnings that could have prevented the attacks. Reports later emerged indicating that security officials had prior knowledge of the impending threat but failed to act decisively.
The public backlash was immense, with many demanding accountability from the government for its negligence. Some even went so far as to suggest that political infighting between Wickremesinghe and then-President Maithripala Sirisena contributed to the failure in preventing the tragedy. The upcoming interview presents an opportunity for Mehdi Hasan to challenge Wickremesinghe on this issue, pressing him on whether his administration could have done more to safeguard Sri Lankan lives.
The possibility of an arrest warrant being issued for Wickremesinghe is not as far-fetched as it may seem. Universal jurisdiction has been used in multiple high-profile cases around the world, particularly in relation to crimes against humanity and war crimes. The arrest of Chile’s former dictator Augusto Pinochet in London in 1998 set a precedent that still resonates today.
However, the legal threshold for issuing such a warrant is high. There would need to be compelling evidence, a willing judicial authority, and political will to enforce the arrest. Whether activists and legal advocates will be able to gather the necessary legal ammunition before Wickremesinghe’s visit remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the possibility alone casts a significant shadow over his trip.
For Wickremesinghe, this Al Jazeera interview could be one of the most defining moments of his career. Mehdi Hasan is known for his no-holds-barred interviewing style, and the questions he will pose are unlikely to be soft. The world will be watching as Wickremesinghe is forced to answer tough questions about his past, his policies, and his legacy.
Meanwhile, the legal and political developments surrounding his visit to London may unfold in unexpected ways. Will he emerge unscathed from this scrutiny, or will his past finally catch up with him? One thing is certain: the conversation will be anything but dull.
As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with its economic and political challenges, Wickremesinghe’s Head to Head appearance will serve as a litmus test for how he is perceived—both at home and on the international stage. Whether as a reformist leader or a controversial figure with unresolved questions hanging over his head, his legacy is far from settled.
For those eager to see how this all unfolds, Wickremesinghe’s Head to Head interview on Al Jazeera promises to be a must-watch event.
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by (2025-01-31 19:39:36)
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