Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has claimed that the ‘Aragalaya’ protest movement was suppressed through democratic means, insisting that his administration acted within constitutional boundaries to restore order.

“We implemented everything necessary to protect democracy in this country,” Wickremesinghe said, addressing comparisons with unrest in Bangladesh and Nepal. “Their issues were not comparable to ours. We faced far more serious challenges, yet we worked to safeguard democracy.”

He said foreign media, including the BBC and Al Jazeera, had reported that the ‘Aragalaya’ was suppressed to such an extent that he even lost the next presidential election. “But I don’t think there has been such a successful suppression anywhere in the world,” he added.

Wickremesinghe also stressed that Sri Lanka must chart its own course without acting on external instructions. While noting concerns about possible influence from Asian powers in the region, he said his government had resolved its challenges independently.

Highlighting economic measures taken during his tenure, the former President said public demands for fertiliser, food, fuel and essential supplies were met. “People asked us to protect democracy, and we did that. They demanded the elimination of corruption, and the Anti-Corruption Act was passed,” he said.

Wickremesinghe concluded by emphasising the country’s democratic legacy: “Sri Lanka is the oldest democratic state in Asia. This is something we must value, protect, and advance. If a government fails to do so, it cannot claim to be truly governing the country.”