Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena has confidently declared that the opposition has been completely routed in the recently held local government elections, brushing off any notion of a comeback from key rivals.
Speaking to the media in Kandy, Gunasena took aim at Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa, who has reportedly been eyeing a run for president later this year.
“Sajith is dreaming of becoming president by September or October,” Gunasena scoffed. “But can a party that couldn’t even win 15–20 out of 339 councils seriously think it’s presidential material?”
He didn’t stop there. Turning his attention to the United National Party, the Deputy Minister laughed off the idea of President Ranil Wickremesinghe having any political momentum left. “Can someone who couldn’t win five councils even dream of a presidency? Let’s be real.”
With the results in, Gunasena didn’t mince words: “It’s crystal clear the opposition has been defeated. End of story. The only challenge now,” he added, “is within ourselves, just as the President said.”
While critics might argue the numbers tell a more nuanced story, Gunasena’s take is simple: Sajith can dream, Ranil can hope, but neither can win, not even at the local level.
