Presidential stakes hot up

Ranil Wickremesinghe

Dhammika Perera

Vajira Abeywardana

Sajith Premadasa

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka

Janaka Ratnayake

Dilith Jayaweera

•  UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardana predicts resounding victory for RW at Presidential poll as speculation rises over SLPP decision to field business leader Dhammika Perera
• Vajira says Wickremesinghe would secure 10 million votes at polls surpassing all Ex-Presidents
• Opines Wickremesinghe should be allowed to remain in post for 12 years 
• Claims country will be destroyed if this mandate is not received 

The contention to be the elected President of Sri Lanka yesterday got heated up with incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party expressing confidence of continuity amidst reports of business leader and MP Dhammika Perera being declared as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate.

UNP Chairman Vajira Abey-wardana yesterday expressed confidence that Wickremesinghe will secure a significant victory in the upcoming Presidential election, leading to his reappointment to the position. Addressing a press conference at Sirikotha, Abeywardana predicted that Wickremesinghe would secure 10 million votes, ensuring his victory in the forthcoming Presidential election.

“President Wickremesinghe would secure the Presidential seat once again, surpassing any President in history in terms of votes,” he said. “I express this confidence based on the positive direction we anticipate the country to be in April, thanks to the sound economic policies of President Ranil Wickremesinghe,” he added.

“People should grant the President the mandate to govern the nation for another 12 years. Sri Lanka has the potential to become a powerful nation under Wickremesinghe’s leadership,” he said. Abeywardana warned of potential destruction if this mandate is not extended.

Abeywardana also praised President Ranil Wickremesinghe as an economic expert and highlighted his clear vision and efforts to guide the country’s direction.

“The current Opposition is also ours. The people will choose the real Opposition party in an election,” he said. Abeywardena also claimed all political parties will come together in the final moments leading up to the polls.

Abeywardena’s remarks come amidst unverified reports that Wickremesinghe has decided not to contest the upcoming Presidential polls. Those who are close to Wickremesinghe dismissed the report widely circulated within social media as “hoax” and part of opponents› misleading campaign. 

In a related development, there were reports yesterday that the SLPP has decided  MP Dhammika Perera will be presented as its candidate at the upcoming presidential election. A group of active SLPPers have also urged prominent businessman – Dhammika Perera to be appointed as the National Organizer of the party.

Speculation rose after incumbent national organiser the US domiciled political maestro Basil Rajapaksa flying back after attending the SLPP 2nd convention over the weekend at which former President and political maestro Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected as the leader. 

Reports claimed said that Dhammika  Perera is the most suitable candidate for the national organiser post as well as presidential nominee

SLPPers is reported to have pointed out that Perera is also well known even in the grassroot levels and it would be instrumental in appointing someone to the post who has the full backing of Basil Rajapaksa, who is known as the ‘vote machine’ of the SLPP. In addition, Perera has also actively contributed to education through the ‘DP Education’ initiative, impacting over 1.5 million school children in Sri Lanka. 

In the Presidential foray include business leader and lawyer Dilith Jayaweera and business tycoon and former Public Utilities Commission Chairman Janaka Ratnayake with the latter having openly declared he will contest. Separately, the main Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake are widely speculated to be keen on vying for the presidency.