Sri Lanka’s presidential election now one horse race

The sudden emergence of a strong ruling party candidate caught many, including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother, SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, by surprise.

It will not be a surprise for the people if Gotabaya Rajapaksa is disqualified for his foul start and his illicit passport and parents' monument saga.  

A number of key SLFP members are to join Sajith Premadasa with more defections to follow dealing a major blow to Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is becoming unpopular day by day.  

While Gotabaya is still the frontrunner, it can no longer be taken for granted that Sajith, with his political experience has started his sprint bubbling with confidence to win the presidential race.     

The pressure is now mounting on politically inexperienced Gotabaya Rajapaksa who started his run for presidency early and now loosing stamina and vigor.

For the first time in years, the ruling UNF, together with critical voices among Sri Lanka’s beleaguered civil society, are sensing that Sajith’s win is a real possibility after several weeks of internal bickering .

At the same time, the sudden emergence of Sajith Premadsa as the presidential candidate increases his winning chances after the wide spread publicity received by him for his struggle with the party leader to clinch the candidacy.    

The Rajapaksas are almost certain to deploy the full resources – money, vehicles, radio, TV and newspapers of his camp , civil servants and the police – in support of Gotabaya’s victory, and are widely expected to do whatever is needed to get back into power. The tighter the race, the more violent it will be.