Rajapaksas seek political resurgence as Sri Lanka prepares for presidential race

Colombo, Aug 15 (EFE).- The Rajapaksa family, which dominated Sri Lanka’s politics for two decades after a bitter and bloody civil war, is eyeing a comeback as the island nation gears up for its presidential election in September.

The race to the presidential place comes at a critical juncture for the nation, still reeling from its worst economic crisis in decades that saw widespread protests culminating into a humiliating exit of the all-powerful Rajapaksas from power.

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) has accepted nominations from 39 candidates for the upcoming September 21 presidential election.

Those vying for the top office include Namal Rajapaksa, 39, of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), marking the family’s bid to regain their political influence.

Namal, accompanied by his father, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his uncle, ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, signed his nomination papers in a ceremony followed by a Buddhist ritual on Wednesday.

In a statement on X, Namal Rajapaksa said he had “officially handed over my nomination for the 2024 Presidential Election.”

“I’m dedicated to upholding the democratic values we all cherish and taking the country forward with a new vision,” he wrote.

The young Rajapaksa is seen as his family’s hope for a political resurgence after they were forced to step back from power in the wake of mass protests in 2022.

The protests, known as the ‘Aragalaya,’ were sparked by the financial crisis, the worst the country has faced since its independence from Britain.

Protestors held the Rajapaksas responsible for the economic collapse and demanded the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, leading to his eventual exile and resignation.

Speaking to the media last week Mahinda Rajapaksa, who became a hero among the majority Sinhalese in 2009 when his government defeated Tamil separatist rebels, said he was confident that his son would win. “Aragalaya asked for a young leader, we gave one now,” he said.

The younger Rajapaksa faces stiff competition from his formidable rival, Sajith Premadasa, 57, the son of another former.

Speaking at a rally in Kalutara District on Wednesday, Premadasa pointed out his party’s commitment to rectifying the mistakes of the past.

He is running under the banner of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), a breakaway faction from the United National Party led by current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Premadasa is contesting under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), a breakaway party from the current president Ranil Wickremesinghe-led United National Party.

Another key contender is Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 55, who represents the National People’s Power (NPP) led by the Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

Dissanayake has pledged to tackle the widespread corruption in the government and is campaigning for a “national renaissance.”

“For too long, our country has been led by the same rulers, with people placing their hopes in successive governments,” Dissanayake wrote on X. “Leaders have come and gone, governments have been overthrown, yet the problems facing our nation, and its people remain unresolved.”

He said it had become clear that these rulers had failed the nation. “It’s time to leave behind these outdated, destructive leaders and form a government truly for the people.”

The incumbent president, Wickremesinghe, 75, is also running as an independent candidate, relying on the economic stability achieved since he assumed office in 2022 after Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation.

Wickremesinghe secured a $3 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has been instrumental in stabilizing the nation’s economy.

“Our creditors have agreed to provide debt relief up to about $10 billion. The IMF agreement gave us $2.9 billion over three years. Together with the $10.5 billion benefit, this aids us significantly, but we must meet the targets,” Wickremesinghe said during a conference this week. EFE

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