Will Namal bloom or fade?

Namal Rajapaksa – the eldest son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa – is the youngest candidate at this year’s Presidential election. The 38-year-old politician’s decision to contest for the top post is baffling as the Aragalaya movement castigated the entire Rajapaksa clan and his surname still carries a huge political liability. Initially, the SLPP was expected to field the billionaire businessman Dhammika Perera; however, the National List MP dropped out at the last minute.

It is rumoured that the youthful candidate’s choice to enter the fray did not win the approval of his family members. Even his two brothers are not seen publicly supporting him. Apart from few simple-minded young members of the fairer sex who are attracted to the island’s best-dressed politician’s pleasing personality and charming outlook, the Hambantota District MP does not garner widespread support. While certain contestants are accused of being too old, Namal is viewed as not being old, matured, and experienced enough to be Commander-in-Chief.

Dynasty politics is quite common in South Asia and to a certain extent even in the US. Being part of a political dynasty brings both benefits as well as disadvantages. The public generally associate the members of younger generations of famous political dynasties with entitlement and privilege. On the other hand, the progeny of such families are sometimes unjustly held accountable for the errors of omission and commission of their elder generations. The former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s failed bid for the White House in 2016 was attributed to the low popularity of his elder brother George W. Bush due to the latter’s controversial policies like the invasion of Iraq during his presidency among many other aspects. Similarly, Rahul Gandhi in India often has to confront the blunders of his father and grandmother – both of whom held premiership.

Namal has not attempted to build a political legacy of his own and people recognise him as Mahinda’s son. To achieve success in politics it is imperative to build an identity of your own without clinging on to the fame and reputation of your parents and relatives who were successful in politics. The incumbent President though the nephew of the first Executive President of Sri Lanka, never brags about his family connections; instead, he has cemented a distinctive political image for himself. Although Namal was the Minister of Sports, he hardly has any achievements to boast of.

In contrast to senior Rajapaksas who represent rather conformist political views, the former Sports Minister exudes a slightly more Liberal political outlook. Having attended a Westernised, Anglican private school like St. Thomas, and born to a Catholic mother, apart from being a millennial, the scion of the political dynasty from the south might have a more cosmopolitan and tolerant world view than the counterparts of his earlier generation.

Meanwhile, over the last couple of years, a great deal of animosity and resentment has been expressed towards the rich and wealthy, particularly after the 2022 economic crisis. Also, by nature, the Sri Lankan society is filled with jealousy and envy and not many are fond of others enjoying good lives. Hence, individuals like Namal – who are seen as having benefitted from the powers of their parents – are at the receiving end of the antipathy of non-affluent as well as lower-class segments of the society. The former rugby player cum racing car enthusiast comes across more as a playful young man who enjoys good times, and not someone who could provide the leadership to resolve the complex political and economic challenges associated with the country. 

It is doubtful whether Namal could gain a double digit percentage of the valid votes, and he could well end up number 4. For the charismatic politician to be recognised as a credible, national-level, political leader, he needs to develop his own political identity while subscribing to an ideology which is consistent with the modern political and economic order in the world.