Election Or Not, RW Will Have To Leave - AKD

COLOMBO (News 1st); Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya, asserted that regardless of whether an election is held or not, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure must come to an end.

In his address to a gathering in Canada, Dissanayake emphasized the need for a political transformation to liberate the country from its current trajectory.

He believes that this year presents a crucial opportunity for change. The presidential election in Sri Lanka is anticipated to take place between September 17 and October 17, with likely dates being September 28 or October 5.

Dissanayake’s call for Sri Lankans in Canada to “book tickets” reflects the prevailing uncertainty surrounding President Wickremesinghe’s electoral prospects.

In his comments, Dissanayake lamented that provincial council elections have not been held for five years, and local government elections have been delayed by over a year.

He said that if President Ranil Wickremesinghe attempts to NOT hold the Presidential Election, the latter would have to step down sooner than expected.

Dissanayake claimed that the sentiment among the people in Sri Lanka is to bring change at the General Election, while patiently bearing up the current issues.

He also claimed that the State Intelligence Service has expressed concern about the growing influence of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya, in a report presented to the government.

According to Dissanayake, the report specifically highlights two key points: Sri Lankans residing overseas are converging around the Jathika Jana Balavegaya, and the clustering of retired Navy, Air Force, and Army officers and soldiers around the party is perceived as a potential threat.