What Exactly Do We Need From A Presidential Poll ?
Kusal Perera
Its a mad rush in Colombo these days to find out how Rajapaksa could be defeated at the next presidential polls, he would offer. In the South, there is the “Common Candidate” in Sobitha thero, still insisting he could be the winning horse. There is new hope in the UNP after the Uva PC elections.Ranil is seriously into the game, while opposition groups in Colombo have no confidence he could defeat Rajapaksa. Meanwhile, the JVP having accepted they on their own can not field a candidate and with Sobitha thero below promise, have opted to go on a negative path. Even before Uva PC elections. They were toying with the idea of a boycott, if President Rajapaksa comes forward as the UPFA candidate. A news plant to that effect in Sinhala media is perhaps to test the ground.
Meanwhile the question whether Rajapaksa could contest a third time under the 18 Amendment is being questioned and debated by Colombo middle class fringe groups. After Uva PC elections, the UNP is more interested in headline gossip than the 18 Amendment. UNP stalwarts are now talking of running the race to win and not just to participate. Perhaps some are even counting cabinet ministers in their next government.Ranil is hard on his heel, trying to win more than his due, from Sinhala South. Attanayake‘s statement about discussing the BBS programme was no foot in the mouth statement, but one in step with Ranil’s strategy. Such is the confusion in opposition ranks, wanting to see the end of the Rajapaksa regime.
Reports of old Left leaders in the government trying to persuade President Rajapaksa to avoid a snap presidential poll and advising him to work towards winning back lost credibility, has not convinced Rajapaksa. The old “Left” is said to have told Rajapaksa, even if he gains around 63% of the Sinhala Buddhist votes in 09 districts, which is 05% more than what UPFA polled in Moneragala this time, the possibility of winning on the first count seems difficult. Yet, if President Rajapaksa could find a very auspicious date and time for him in first week of January, EC Deshapriya is all ready to go with the gazette notification for an election. That for now is how the situation is evolving and that may pave the way for a presidential election in 2015 January'
