According to sources close to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, he has indicated to his inner circle and hinted to his cabinet members that the Presidential Election will proceed as planned. This move signifies a setback for Basil Rajapaksa’s attempts to prioritize Parliamentary Polls first, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
In recent cabinet meetings, President Wickremesinghe discussed the upcoming elections and conveyed his intention to hold the Presidential Election on schedule, despite no official notification from the Elections Commission. Sources suggest that the election is likely to take place in the first week of October.
The key contenders for the presidency include Ranil Wickremesinghe from the UNP, Sajith Premadasa from the SJB, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake from the NPP. Notably, the SLPP is not expected to field its own candidate and is anticipated to throw its support behind Wickremesinghe, despite internal divisions within the SLPP camp.
Efforts by the SLPP, particularly by Basil Rajapaksa, to advocate for prioritizing the Parliamentary Election first seem to have failed, with President Wickremesinghe standing firm on his decision. Former UNP members close to Wickremesinghe have reportedly advised him to prioritize the Presidential Election, viewing it as a strategic opportunity for the UNP to re-enter parliament if Wickremesinghe emerges victorious.
Meanwhile, Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the NPP and Sajith Premadasa of the SJB are actively campaigning, aiming to increase their vote shares significantly from the 2019 Presidential Election. However, both face challenges, including the need to secure over 50% of the vote to win.
President Wickremesinghe himself faces a tough campaign, particularly in light of the UNP’s recent electoral setbacks. Analysts emphasize the need for a robust grassroots campaign to overcome the party’s popularity challenges.
Despite polls circulating on social media, indicating preferences for certain candidates, over 40% of voters remain undecided, reflecting widespread disillusionment with the political landscape amidst economic turmoil.
Source – dailymirror.lk
