UNP deputy leader say next election likely to be presidential poll

COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s next election will likely be a presidential poll, according to United National Party (UNP) deputy leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

Speaking at a party event in Wariyapola Sunday (28), Kariyawasam said President Ranil Wickremesinghe is unlikely to give up the executive presidency yet.

“His talent lay in winning over his opponents to become president. Having secured the executive presidency with just one seat in parliament, will it be relinquished?

“The way I see it, the next election will be a presidential poll,” said the former MP.

Kariyawasam also predicted more price reductions as inflation drops, with further reductions in electricity tariffs and interest rates also on the cards.

“You’ll see that this is changing faster than we had anticipated,” he said to an audience of UNP members.

“This president started this as a single MP working with the support of everyone. Now the people who hold portfolios in his government are among those who opposed him the most,” he added.

Kariyawasam is not the first person affiliated with President Wickremesinghe to hint at an upcoming presidential election. There has been speculation in the media that Wickremesinghe, who was appointed after being voted by Parliament, wishes to hold a presidential election before the end of the year or early next year.

Main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa has already welcomed an early presidential election. Premadasa told the SJB Working Committee on May 16 that he intends to form an SJB-led alliance of opposition parties in the event of an early presidential poll.

Noting that it is undemocratic of a government to schedule elections according to a timetable that’s best suited to its own interests, Premadasa said however that the SJB is ready for the challenge.

“We fully support the proposal to hold early presidential elections. Bring in whatever bills and amendments needed to hold it early, and we shall raise both hands in support,” he said.

The SJB Working Committee has unanimously endorsed a proposal by SJB member Sujeewa Senasinghe and general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara to nominate Premadasa as the presidential candidate of an SJB-led alliance.

The announcement came amid reports and subsequent denials followed by more speculation that a number of SJB members plan to cross over to the government.

SJB Vice Chairman P. Harrison earlier this month publicly pledged his support to President Wickremesinghe. MP Rajitha Senaratne has been speaking critically of the party leadership and praising Wickremesinghe’s reform agenda, drawing scathing remarks from his SJB colleagues.

SJB MP and general secretary of the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union, Vadivel Suresh, recently made headlines when he issued an ultimatum to Premadasa, demanding an apology for a perceived slight on the Indian-origin Tamil community that Suresh represents. He, too, spoke favourably of the president, hinting that a crossover may not be far away.

Accosted by reporters at an event attended by former SJB MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakakare, who were the first to pledge their support to Wickremesinghe before he became president, Suresh said the SJB must collectively consider joining the government.

“We’re SJB. Harin, Manusha and I, we’re all SJB. Given the difficult situation the country is in, we cannot be looking at party differences now. I think it would be even better if Sajith and Ranil Wickremesinghe joined forces. It would be good if the entire SJB could join. We could revive the country then,” he said.

Meanwhile, the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which leads the National People’s Power (NPP) whose popularity has seen a notable spike since Sri Lanka’s worst socio-economic crisis in decades, has been less than enthusiastic about the main opposition party’s recent conduct.

The leftist NPP, which according to at least one opinion poll still enjoys a reasonable lead over the SJB, is unlikely to join an alliance led by the SJB, leaving the latter little choice but to court breakaway factions of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). On April 24, Premadasa held preliminary discussions on a potential alliance.

Chaired by Premadasa, the meeting was attended by former chairman of the SLPP G. L. Peiris and other MPs who entered Parliament as part of a two-thirds majority-winning SLPP coalition, namely Dullas Alahapperuma, Chandima Weerakkodi, Nalaka Godaheva, Channa Jayasumana, Udaya Gammanpila, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Gevidu Cumarathunga and Dayasiri Jayasekara, all of whom were key players in the government headed by ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Premadasa opted to be Alahapperuma’s running mate in a last-minute decision to back out of a race for the presidency with Wickremesinghe who was elected by Parliament with the backing of the SLPP.

Some of the SLPP dissidents were silent in the face of, if not outright supportive of, what the SJB itself has called the destructive policies of the Rajapaksa administration that contributed to what became Sri Lanka’s worst currency crisis since Independence. A not insignificant number of the dissident faction also remains ultranationalist in their outlook with regard to the island nation’s ethnic question.

If a presidential election does indeed come first, the only alliance the SJB can conceivably form at this juncture will be with the likes of the Uttara Lanka Sabhagya, headed by MP Wimal Weerawansa, former heavyweight of the Rajapaksa camp, and the Freedom People’s Congress which comprises MPs Alahapperuma, Godaheva, Peiris and others.

Which way the minority parties will go remains hard to predict at this point, though the president’s efforts to resolve Sri Lanka’s ethnic issue may earn him the support, tacit or otherwise, of groups like the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the months to come, assuming discussions go smoothly.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), led by former president Maithripala Sirisena who had a notoriously contentious relationship with Wickremesinghe during their respective tenures as president and prime minister in the Yahapalana government between 2015 and 2019, remains unpredictable.

The support of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), both of whom are currently represented in Parliament as part of an SJB-led alliance, is also hard to predict as things stand now.

-economynext.com

 

 

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication