COLOMBO: It is rumoured that the snap Sri Lankan Presidential election will be held in January 2015 with the possible dates being January 8, 17 or 26. Rajapaksa watchers say that he considers these astrologically determined dates as being “lucky” for him because they all add up to “8”.
And sure enough, Rajapaksa had chosen “8” to do all important work in his successful political career thus far.
He got the first Presidential election he faced to be held on November 17, 2005. Before the six-year first term ended, he called for a snap poll and filed his nomination papers on December 17, 2009 and held the election on January 26, 2010.
Astrologers have apparently told Rajapaksa that he should hold the election not later than January 2015, if he is to get a third term. Although he is still the front runner, his popularity is waning which was evident in the Uva Provincial Council elections in which he very nearly got a drubbing.
However, just prior to the Uva polls, he had turned his attention away from big ticket and showy projects of no immediate value to the masses, to meeting the needs of the hoi polloi.
An easy loan scheme was announced, and rates on electricity and cooking gas were significantly reduced. The national budget to be presented on Friday is expected to bristle with populist announcements. Rajapaksa is also said to be entertaining politically important sections to breakfasts and is touring the country incessantly.