Vichara

CEB has requested the public to refrain from flying kites in the vicinity of electric pylons. But it is noted that there is some kite flying on the candidates in the 2024 presidential election. Of course, although no official announcement is made it is very clear that the incumbent President will be the prime candidate. He depends on the support of the minorities and India. Many of Sajith’s group will eventually join him and the SJB will wither away. Pohottuwa is in a quandary. Will they have the mettle to give RW the Karapincha treatment or will they meekly acquiesce with him or go on their own is uncertain. Maithri is justifying his eligibility to be the next president ignoring all the damage he has done to the country under Yahapalanaya. Although the current problems can be traced to the failings of polices in our history the culmination of the crisis took place during his regime. His is only a vaulting ambition.

Meanwhile Anura Kumara has thrown down the gloves and declared his candidacy. The popularity wave for the NPP has somewhat receded but he still leads the rest. Professor Harin Amarasuriya could have been a challenging option. With the devaluation and the consequences of IMF induced restrictions and price hikes of essential services like electricity and water, the masses have been subject to unbearable misery. IMF prescription of cost-effective pricing without cost reduction has allowed the providers of these services to hide costs and inflate price. Cost of living has become intolerable.  There is unemployment and indebtedness leading to hunger and desperation. With trade liberalization which is the bedrock of IMF conditions, unfettered imports will destroy many small industries and subsidiary agriculture. With such deprivation and misery, it will be a miracle for any IMF champion to win votes. In this background the NPP wave could become a hurricane.

 Dominant focus of the next election will likely be the economy, cost of living, corruption, territorial integrity, protection of Buddhism, drugs, crime and insecurity. There will be more than two candidates, to the advantage of a third candidate.

Presently it looks like a dual combat between Anura Kumara and the rest which is divided.

There is another prospective candidate who has not so far shown his hand. He is a media mogul who has been very much visible to the public in civic, religious and developmental functions across the country. He has the organization and perhaps the funds. His strengths is that he is a nationalist, proven entrepreneur and a professional and is free from the frailties of politicians. If he comes forward, he will give an opportunity to voters to elect somebody Outside The Box.