Renowned economist Ronnie de Mel, credited with ushering in Sri Lanka's open economy era in 1978, has passed away at the age of 99. Serving as Finance Minister in the Cabinet of late President J.R. Jayewardene, de Mel played a pivotal role in shaping the country's economic landscape.
His tenure as Finance Minister, spanning from 1977 to 1987, marks the longest in Sri Lanka's history, during which he presented numerous budgets. A prominent figure in politics, de Mel initially aligned with the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) before transitioning to the United National Party (UNP).
His legacy as a visionary economist and statesman leaves an indelible mark on Sri Lanka's economic development.
