Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe recommends Sri Lanka join BRICS, calling it a rising political and economic force that could replace the Non-Aligned Movement.
Ranil Backs Sri Lanka’s Entry into BRICS, Says Group Can Fill Global Power Gap
Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking from St. Petersburg, Russia, has called for Sri Lanka to formally pursue membership in BRICS, the expanding economic bloc originally founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later joined by South Africa.
“Russia is not isolated. It’s expanding its global relationships, including with countries in our region,” Ranil said at the Valdai Discussion Club Forum. “BRICS has grown into the world’s largest economic alliance, surpassing many traditional Western-led groups. It includes key emerging economies from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East—places where Sri Lanka naturally fits.”
Wickremesinghe revealed that he had considered applying for BRICS membership during his own presidency, and emphasized that the group’s geopolitical and economic relevance is increasing rapidly. New members such as Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and the UAE have already joined, while others like Indonesia and Argentina are on track to follow.
He further argued that BRICS offers a viable alternative for countries outside the Western bloc, especially in a post-Non-Aligned Movement world, which he described as “collapsed.”
“BRICS fills a void left by the weakening Non-Aligned Movement. It gives countries like Sri Lanka a meaningful platform to influence global decisions without being tethered to the West,” he said.
Currently, BRICS consists of 11 member nations:
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇷🇺 Russia
🇮🇳 India
🇨🇳 China
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
🇪🇬 Egypt
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
🇮🇷 Iran
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
The group is rapidly positioning itself as a counterweight to G7 and Western-led alliances, making it increasingly attractive for emerging economies looking for strategic partnerships in a shifting global order.
