In an exclusive interview with Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe shared his perspective on the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, particularly concerning the presence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India.
Hasina fled Bangladesh in early August following over a month of youth protests demanding her removal from power, a mere seven months after she won the parliamentary election. Her stay in India has become a point of contention between New Delhi and Dhaka, with some advisors to the interim Bangladeshi government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, advocating for her extradition.
When asked about his advice for India and Bangladesh in navigating this complex situation, Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of restoring stability in Bangladesh. He said, “First is to get stability into Bangladesh – first give people confidence – as far as Sheikh Hasina is concerned, these are political issues. It has to be decided in such a manner… Many leaders leave their country and go abroad. They then live abroad. What I would give priority to is [to ensure] Bangladesh remains stable.”
Wickremesinghe, who assumed the presidency of Sri Lanka under similar circumstances in 2022 after the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapakshe due to public protests, highlighted the need for a swift return to normalcy in Bangladesh. He stated, “If Sheikh Hasina is out of the country, let her be out of the country. I think stability has to come quickly. The army may be necessary. We all want Bangladesh [to] focus on normalcy and on getting people to decide how [they] should lead the country.”
Wickremesinghe’s comments come ahead of the Sri Lankan presidential election on Saturday, where he faces an electoral test. His experience in navigating a political crisis and guiding Sri Lanka towards economic recovery adds weight to his observations on the Bangladeshi situation.
The issue of Hasina’s presence in India has been a sensitive one in Bangladesh, particularly given the rise of anti-India sentiments in the country. Wickremesinghe’s call for stability and a focus on restoring normalcy in Bangladesh offers a perspective from a regional leader who has experienced similar challenges firsthand. His comments suggest that the resolution of this political issue should prioritize the stability and wellbeing of Bangladesh.
