Erik Solheim Defends Ranil Wickremesinghe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim has issued a public appeal for the urgent release of Sri Lanka’s former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, expressing concern over his health while in detention.

In a statement shared on social media, Solheim said, “I join the many leaders in Sri Lanka, South Asia and around the world calling for the immediate release of Sri Lanka former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. We are all concerned for his health during detention.”

Solheim emphasized Wickremesinghe’s pivotal role in steering Sri Lanka through its 2022 economic and political crisis, describing him as the leader who “stood up to save Sri Lanka when the nation reached rock bottom.”

He also criticized the legal action against Wickremesinghe, stating that the accusations are without merit, and even if they were true, they would not be considered criminal or unacceptable behavior in Europe.

While expressing full support for Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption campaign, Solheim urged the government to focus on real issues.

Who is Eric Solheim?

Erik Solheim, is a former Norwegian peace envoy who played a key role in Sri Lanka’s peace process during the early 2000s.

Solheim served as the Special Peace Envoy between 2000 and 2003, mediating talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. 

At the time, he was also Norway’s Minister of International Development and Cooperation, and was instrumental in facilitating the 2002 ceasefire agreement signed by then Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and the LTTE.

His involvement in Sri Lanka’s peace efforts ended following the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005.

In 2016, Solheim was appointed Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 

However, he resigned in November 2018 after facing criticism over excessive travel expenses—reportedly spending USD 488,518 on 529 trips over 668 days, without sufficient oversight.

During Wickremesinghe’s recent administration, he was appointed as Sri Lanka’s International Climate Advisor.