NEW DELHI: Two years after Sri Lanka reeled under its worst economic crisis, the island nation is set for Presidential elections on September 21. The race is between three candidates – the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe (United National Party), Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the left-leaning National People’s Power (NPP) coalition and Sajith Premadasa, the present leader of opposition.
"There is no frontrunner yet. Despite some anti-incumbency sentiment, Ranil Wickremesinghe still has a strong possibility of taking the lead. However, the other two have managed to find a favourable foothold too," said a source from Colombo.
A senior monk Dodampahala Rahula Thero has expressed his support for Ranil and even gone a step further by asking former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's son Namal Rajapaksa to withdraw from the race.
Wickremesinghe is pinning his hopes on the improved situation following the economic crisis that engulfed Sri Lanka. Locals no longer have to scout for essentials, there have been record breaking tourist arrivals and increased remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad.
However, there is a segment of people who think a change will do more good for Sri Lanka. "I feel Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) will be a better choice as President, as there is hope of his bringing about changes. We have nothing to really recount of the present government," says Samith J who works in the travel sector in Colombo.
Interestingly, Dissanayake, who is believed to be tilting towards China, has vowed to cancel Adani’s wind power project if he is elected. His party is also talking about VAT removal (food, education, healthcare) if elected. He has also said that Tamils should be referred to as Sri Lankan Tamils and not Indian Tamils.
Meanwhile, Tamils in Sri Lanka are divided in their choice of vote, which is not a good sign for Sajith Premadasa. However, Premadasa’s supporters are already imagining his victory. "We request all our supporters to celebrate Sajith Premadasa’s victory on 22nd," said MP Dullas Alahapperuma.
After what happened in 2022, pundits say the possibility of Namal Rajapaksa making it is remote. "Since Namal’s chances are bleak, he is recommending Premadasa as the next choice to his voters. Namal's party is keen on defeating Dissanayake as they are convinced that Ranil will not make a comeback," a source from Colombo said.
The results will be out on September 22. A 50% majority is needed to clinch the Presidency. If no candidate receives 50%, all except the top two are eliminated and the second preferences of the eliminated candidates are redistributed.