MR’s brinksmanship, MS’s compromise, RW’s consternation

*UPFA nominations for MR turns the political scene upside down

*UPFA becomes rallying point for anti-government vote

*Sirisena loyalists feeling let down and mulling next move

*Swan symbol may be the only hope to rally yahapalana vote

July 4, 2015, 6:55 pm 

The announcement on Friday evening by UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayanth to the effect that President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to grant nominations to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was greeted with anguish and fury by the yahapalana types. Much of the anger may stem from the suspicion that had been rankling in the minds of some following the secret meeting held between Sirisena and Rajapaksa just before Parliament was dissolved. In any event, after Rajapaksa announced from Medamulana on July 1 that he would be contesting the forthcoming election, President Sirisena was faced with two choices. He could either field Mahinda and ensure that the UPFA puts up a good showing or he could force MR to contest separately and risk falling to a poor third.

MR’s Brinksmanship, MS’s Compromise, RW’s Consternation by Thavam Ratna