In the latest episode of “Head to Head,” Mehdi Hasan engages in a spirited debate with Sri Lanka’s President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, covering crucial topics such as Wickremesinghe’s tenure as president, the handling of the Easter bombings, and the implications of the civil war. The segment also offers insights into the political establishment’s alleged complicity in war crimes and corruption, which have been points of contention amid the calls for profound societal change prompted by widespread protests.

Wickremesinghe assumed the presidency in 2022 as a compromise figure following the departure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the wake of societal unrest and economic turmoil. As president, he procured the country’s largest bailout, although his approach continues to be critiqued for inadequately addressing the systemic issues that fueled the protests.

During the discussion, Hasan also confronts Wickremesinghe over his handling of the Easter bombings and the scrutiny surrounding his efforts to hold the influential Rajapaksa family accountable for their actions.

Enriching the discussion are contributions from a panel of experts:
– Frances Harrison, former BBC Sri Lanka correspondent, author of the book “Still Counting the Dead,” and director of the International Truth and Justice Project.
– Nirj Deva, a former Member of the UK and EU Parliament, who also served as a presidential envoy to Wickremesinghe.
– Madura Rasaratnam, the executive director of PEARL and a senior lecturer at City, University of London, providing additional perspectives on the political and social climate in Sri Lanka.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/program/head-to-head/2025/3/6/who-is-to-blame-for-sri-lankas-crises?traffic_source=rss