Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala was unanimously elected as the 22nd Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament today during the inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament. His nomination was proposed by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and seconded by Minister Vijitha Herath.
This historic appointment marks a significant milestone for Dr. Ranwala, who begins his first parliamentary term after securing 109,332 preferential votes in the Gampaha District during this year’s general elections.
A Journey of Political Resilience
Dr. Ranwala, a longstanding member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and an executive of the National People’s Force, has steadily risen through Sri Lanka’s political landscape. Starting his career in the Biyagama constituency, he served as a JVP member of the Western Provincial Council and represented the Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha before contesting at the national level.
Academic and Professional Accomplishments
An alumnus of the University of Moratuwa, Dr. Ranwala is a chemical engineer who previously worked at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. He also holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Waseda University, Japan. As Director of the BioGenic Green Technology Research Institute, he advocates for sustainable agricultural practices.
Leadership in Trade Union Movements
Dr. Ranwala gained national prominence as the president of the Petroleum General Employees’ Union, leading efforts to protect Sri Lanka’s strategic assets, including the Trincomalee oil tank complex, from privatization. His leadership in the trade union movement has been characterized by resilience, including spearheading strikes that paralyzed the petroleum sector.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
Despite his achievements, Dr. Ranwala’s political career has not been without controversy. He was arrested in 2018 for allegedly threatening the Sapugaskanda Police OIC and in 2017 for leading a protest against the privatization of petroleum services. However, he has consistently defended his actions as being in the interest of protecting national assets and public welfare.
A Promising Future
As Speaker, Dr. Ashoka Ranwala brings a wealth of experience from his roles in politics, trade unions, and academia. His election signals a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary leadership, with many looking to his tenure with anticipation and hope.
