Former Member of Parliament Mr. Saman Ratnapriya has highlighted the significant influence of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on the nation’s political landscape. Speaking recently, Ratnapriya noted that Wickremesinghe, as a leader credited with stabilizing the country during a critical period, garnered substantial personal support in the last presidential election.
However, Ratnapriya pointed out that this level of support did not carry over to the general election. He attributes this to Wickremesinghe’s decision not to actively contest or campaign during the general election. According to Ratnapriya, this absence left a noticeable gap in the United National Party’s (UNP) ability to mobilize voters.
“If Ranil had participated in the general election, the results could have been different,” Ratnapriya asserted, emphasizing that Wickremesinghe’s direct involvement might have bolstered voter turnout and potentially altered the outcome.
Ratnapriya also observed a broader trend of declining voter support for all parties in the general election compared to the presidential election. He suggested that disillusionment among voters might have played a role, leading many to gravitate towards alternative movements, particularly the National People’s Force.
This commentary comes amidst ongoing analysis of voter behavior in Sri Lanka’s recent elections, with political leaders and analysts reflecting on the factors that shaped the outcomes. Wickremesinghe, despite his absence in the general election, remains a pivotal figure in Sri Lankan politics, and his strategic decisions continue to influence the political discourse.
