MUHEED JEERAN
COLOMBO : We have almost 8 months until a possible election in Sri Lanka, and it is highly expected a presidential one, but in Sri Lanka elections, winning candidates have always been a surprise to the voters in recent years. As we are aware, very recently, National People’s Front leader Anura Kumara Disanayake visited India on a state visit, which raised the eyebrows of many.
Normally, state-sponsored state visits are made from government to government officially, not for a political party. Even the opposition leader in Sri Lanka did not get that opportunity. Therefore, it is obvious for political analysts and observers to raise their eyebrows. There is much speculation related to the NPP leader’s visit to India. It is rumoured that the Indian RAW’s secret opinion polls have speculated that Anura Kumara is in a position to win the upcoming presidential election. I think countries like India will never jump to this conclusion, as in Sri Lanka, a winning candidate is always a surprise if you analyse the past elections.
Therefore, I am ready to buy this rumour. Anyhow, I am not ready to write my forecast here too about the possible winner of the next presidential election, as it’s too early to discuss a presidential election that could be held eight months later from today.
Why did the former Indian RAW chief, the BJP’s mastermind, and the current national security advisor of India, Ajit Dovel meet NPP leader Anura Kumara Disanayake? It was not necessary for him to discuss with the AKD about Indian national security, as the NPP leader is not the government of Sri Lanka. Does Ajith Dowel have blood on his hands from Sri Lankan souls too? I am questioning it on the basis of how he came up from being a spy to a national security advisor.
Was this a humble tap on AKD’s shoulder by AD to remain about some upcoming wholesale purchases by pro-BJP business tycoons of India in Sri Lanka. I assume this nationalistic and hindutwa ideologistic political party, the BJP is working to make sure these tycoons are happy to back them to win the upcoming Lok Sabha election in India. Bear in mind that the Sri Lankan government is compelled to hold a presidential election by October 2024, but strangely, President Media Division (PMD) said a presidential election would be held in 2024 and a general election in 2025. How come PMD can say that they will hold the general election? If so, Ranil should be president after the next election to make that decision, as no one knows who could win unless it is abolished or postponed. So how practical is it for Ranil’s PMD to announce that they have authority over a matter that comes after the next presidential election.
Ranil to sell our assets to India, but last year Aragalaya proved that the AKD has some powerful force in the field that could be used to crack down on Ranil’s move to sell Sri Lankan assets to pro BJP Indian companies. India knew it won’t be practical without the blessings of AKD. Well, is Anura Kumara now changing to Amul Kumara? However, I assumed Ranil might have played a role in this saga. (Muheed Jeeran
International Human Rights Activist)
