Ranil likely to contest presidential election under new symbol: Presidential advisor

9 April 2024 08:19 pm - 63 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, April 9 (Daily Mirror) - Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to contest the Presidential election under an entirely new symbol other than the elephant or flower bud, Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP senior Ashu Marasinghe said.

Professor Marasinghe told journalists that President Wickrmesinghe will represent a number of parties as a national candidate.

“People such as Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has said many including himself have an issue supporting Mr. Wickremeisnghe if he contests the Presidential election under the elephant symbol. Likewise, we in the UNP too have an issue with him contesting under the pohotuwa. Therefore Mr. Wickremeisnghe is expected to contest under a new symbol,” he said.

He said more than 80 percent of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will be supporting Mr. Wickremesinghe at the next Presidential election.

“We welcome the proposal made by SJB MP Talatha Athukorala that both the SJB and the UNP should unite. We expect others in the SJB to support Mr. Wickremeisnghe even if SJB leader Sajith Premadasa decides against such a move,” he said.

Also he said it is not possible to hold both the Presidential election and the general election on the same day according to the Constitution.

Further, he claimed that Sri Lanka’s economy has begun to recover with foreign reserves growing up to USD 5 billion, while the tourism sector has experienced an unexpected gain during this year.

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Comments - 63

Ruben Huling Tuesday, 09 April 2024 08:42 PM

Whatever the symbol he chooses, who will vote for a politician rejected by the people at many polls including 2019.

Jeanne Friday, 12 April 2024 04:42 AM

@Ruben : That was 2019 when Sri Lankans were riding high on false financial benefits, where politicians were looting left right and centre and where political opponents were being silenced bhy either covert or foul means. Fast forward 2024. We have been humiliated and humbled by all of the above benefits and this is the only politician that has been smart and educated enough to pull you out of the mud. So, please shut up - your comment is quite stupid.

roni Tuesday, 09 April 2024 08:53 PM

Whatever symbol he uses he has no chance for the hard ships to the household he has presented. Do we need an old man who advocates that 65 is the age limit. The responsible election organizations must disqualify the over age liabilities like him and the Oscillating PM

Cosco Tuesday, 09 April 2024 08:54 PM

He along will get 250 k votes maximum. If sib pohottu combined only he will win. But saajee will not support to Raanil

saman Thursday, 11 April 2024 12:51 PM

UNP Pohottuwa SJB 20 MP's SLFP SLMC and all other parties together maximum that Ranil will get is 1,000,000 votes. Balance SJB 38 members has no chance and will get 2,000,000 votes. That gives NPP a landslide victory. See what happened in South Korea.

mario Tuesday, 09 April 2024 09:22 PM

Rerun of a Bad Movie, theater owner expecting a Box Offfice

Vadivelu Yogaratnam Tuesday, 09 April 2024 09:24 PM

Under any symbol sure win, people Should not think voting anyone else for president other than Ranil if they do get ready for starvation.

Upulpb Tuesday, 09 April 2024 09:35 PM

Symbol is irrelevant He will be wiped out

Once Creditors are Paid and No More Reserves Tuesday, 09 April 2024 09:43 PM

Start paying back the creditors and see if the US$5 Billion will be in the reserves. Don’t sweet talk here as SL debt situation is in a terrible situation. Current government expenditure is too high in comparison with the income it receives. That’s why new loans are being taken and with their payable interest, this vicious cycle continues every year

Grace Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:06 PM

Wolf is wolf even if it wears a sheep's clothing.

Gune Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:10 PM

He has not only destroyed the UNP he has also destroyed its symbol.

Anti Gune Thursday, 11 April 2024 07:25 AM

It's Sajith who destroyed UNP. Buru putha's buru pataw can't understand that.

Jude Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:18 PM

It doesn't matter what his symbol is, RANIL'S disastrous political career filled with catastrophic miscalculation will come to an end with the next presidential elections!! Yeah.

Jayantha Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:25 PM

He will not win. Only old sjb jokers will join him such as Thalatha Rajitha etc. If a presidential election is held. It will be a cake walk for npp.

Sam Silva Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:26 PM

He should give it a try than suppoting with Rajapaksa crooks or others.

ROSH Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:38 PM

Excellent news. Unelected master debating president loves growing his internal organs to develop the economy of my country over last 50 years. We must respect what he has done to master debate every single citizen including eaglemaithiri. He can show his own symbol behind his trousers to complete the presidential election

kondaya77 Tuesday, 09 April 2024 10:42 PM

The president can contest in any symbol he likes I propose the Air plane to prove that he is the gallivanting president.

Anne Fez Tuesday, 09 April 2024 11:39 PM

I can think of a,good one. How about a Fox.

Ranya Thursday, 11 April 2024 09:18 PM

Sorry, The symbol of "FOX" was taken more than seven decades ago by his uncle JRJ, also known as foxy Dickie in 1940 and 1950s. How can we forget that.

francis Benedict Tuesday, 09 April 2024 11:44 PM

What ever the Symbol The Maximum he can get is Below 10%

Lk Tuesday, 09 April 2024 11:54 PM

to win the election over the forged claim of economy Recovery is not convincing at all.. Economy recovery is a eyewash...it is true some recovering takes place but it is not fully ..why they you withhold all loan payments.. Ranil uses his influence to delay all loans but as soon as he wins he will turn the table... He is good man but CB scam damaged his name

Mohamed Burhan Tuesday, 09 April 2024 11:56 PM

The reality: Our President will be the common candidate with Pohottuwa and wiil go on to win as President.Bcos Pohottuwa has now about 40 lakhs of votes president UNP has 20 lakhs.Sajith has now 45 lakhs less 10 lakhs. Anura with 3% 30 lakhs more=40 lakhs. Sajith and Anura has to join now with Sajith common candidate.Possible then Sajith will become President!!!.No single party has 50.1% votes if contesting separately. But unexpected things happen!!!!!

Jude Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:03 AM

RANIL'S political career is Over soon after the presidential elections. Out of all the Lankan politicians only Ranil don't leave behind a legacy. RANIL did all the dirty stuff to grab power and to hold unto power. RANIL will stoop to any level to grab power. Thank god for No Descendants!!!

Jude Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:05 AM

Most people forget that Ranil started the precedent of employing gangsters!!

Jude Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:17 AM

Most people have forgotten that Ranil has been accused of being the main political authority behind the BATALANDA DETENTION CENTER. It is believed that nearly 5,000-10,000 JVP activists were brutally tortured and killed in BATALANDA camp alone.

ACA Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:18 AM

Shall we have a competition to select a symbol for RW campaign?

Buddhist Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:21 AM

Basil Rajapakse has dictated to Ranil that Ranil should contest under a new symbol, and Ranil is following that dictate.

Patriot Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:54 AM

Ranil will win for sure. Sajith will back down at the last minute.

Ranya Saturday, 13 April 2024 12:33 AM

His scheming will not work this time as people have realized who Ranil is. A despot with hidden agenda that undermines democracy and sovereignty of the people.

Dhammika Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:55 AM

We need Ranil at least for another 5 years.

Tariq Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:57 AM

Ranil will win the election comfortably.

Jude Wednesday, 10 April 2024 12:58 AM

People should be aware that CBK appointed several presidential commissions of inquiry to investigate allegations of human rights violations during the 1987-89 JVP insurrection. One of those commissions was the The Commission of Inquiry into the establishment and maintenance of places of unlawful detention and torture chambers at the BATALANDA housing scheme which was commonly known as the BATALANDA Commission. And RANIL responsible!! But once NPP come to power they're gonna prosecute Ranil for bankrupting this country and Ranil allowed his cronies like Mahendran to loot the central bank of SL. Moreover, Ranil gonna be incarcerated for rest of his life for making this country the living HELL with no food no water no electricity no fuel no gas no milk powder no medicine.

Marlon Wednesday, 10 April 2024 01:14 AM

I initially had hopes for AKD. But it seems he's still too naive and childish to lead a country still recovering from the worst economic crisis. I never had any faith in Ranil ever. I'm coming from a leftist family who supported N M's Samasamaja party and later SLFP. We heard a lot about him from our parents, lots of bad things according to their point of view, since Ranil was branded as a capitalist. When I was old enough to vote he became the prime minister for the fourth time. We never had a good understanding about him because he never market himself. With the bad impression we had since our childhood, I never ever expected to support him ever in my life. But here I am openly declaring my support to Ranil after he almost single-handedly brought the country back on track. The patience, the wisdom and the experience he has shown is absolutely incredible. I will support him in this election believing he will continue to do the good work he has started in 2022.

GIA LANKA Wednesday, 10 April 2024 01:40 AM

RANIL MOST LIKELY TO CONTEST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION UNDER THE POOKER / ARSE SYMBOL / HIS OWN POOKER / ARSE PHOTO,THEN HE IS SURE TO WIN ELECTION. ADO HOOOOO. WE ALL KNOW VERY WELL NPP / JVP BUGGERS ANURA BUGGER WILL WIN LANDSLIDE VICTORY

ROSH Wednesday, 10 April 2024 01:58 AM

Excellent news. Of course unelected master debating president is contesting under new symbol to become elected master debater. Of course he is hiding his symbol behind his trousers till presidential election. He will take it out on Election Day to show his common folks

Jude Wednesday, 10 April 2024 02:33 AM

There's bunch of people still believes Ranil have a remote chance to get elected as president!! Let me explain, Ranil have never improved his chances to become president,!! Mind you if you'd A/L student for the last couple of years, would've managed The economy better than Ranil. Moreover, last,3 years SL gov't haven't repaid any debt or loans!!

Ama Wednesday, 10 April 2024 03:11 AM

Glad to hear that "foreign reserves growing up to USD 5 billion ....". So, many SLPPers will be stitching BIG POCKETS .....

Kevin Wednesday, 10 April 2024 03:22 AM

If Ranil, Sajith and Namal contest the presidential election, they will split their vote base helping the JVP cruise to victory.

lion Wednesday, 10 April 2024 04:06 AM

What ever the symbol he comes will not make any difference as millions and millions of voters hates him for the economic predicament that they are in today.

Nimal Wednesday, 10 April 2024 04:50 AM

Now it would be vintage wine in new bottles. What does he mean by the economy recovering?We still default on our colossal loan repayments. Is that economic recovery? By whatever party he comes, he cannot go past that elusive 10% mark. May be, it would be as low as 5%.

Ignatius Wednesday, 10 April 2024 05:28 AM

Good idea. For the betterment of the Country.

DOT Wednesday, 10 April 2024 05:35 AM

He will Not contest.

warren Wednesday, 10 April 2024 06:18 AM

The silent majority understands that only Mr Ranil Wicremasinhghe can revive the economy, not the social media-promoted cardboard heroes who believe in quaint, antediluvian, and archaic models of economic management. The choice is clear: whether you want to go backwards and face anarchy or move forward and relish in prosperity.

Steve Wednesday, 10 April 2024 07:21 AM

Symbol of the Fox

LAL.FERNANDO. Wednesday, 10 April 2024 07:23 AM

HOW COME THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT CONSTITUTION NOW, WHEN THEY HAVE DONE SO MANY BAD THINGS AGAINST THE CONSTUTION.

Prof. D.M.W. Fernando Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:02 AM

Very unlikely whether RW to contest the Presidential Elections as he knows the outcome anyway.

J.M. Pathirana Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:04 AM

Not only RW the entire UNP members will be scrapped off for the General/Presidential elections, but it is also advisable that the old blocks get back home and rest rather than wasting our time.

Jude Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:04 AM

RANIL lost couple of times contesting for presidency!! Then been leader of the GOP, few occasions he never contested himself rather than supporting other candidates for presidency. Only way he became president, he assured that he won't prosecute Rajapaksa clan and SLPP members for corruption and bankrupting the country in exchange for the support for the 2022 July not so secret parliament ballot. RANIL can win only from Colombo District and he managed win from Biyagama. But he's no MR, who could win from anywhere. Urban areas and remote villagers will never vote for Ranil.Just to give you an idea at the 2019 general Elections Ranil led UNP received only 249,435 votes out of 16.2 million eligible voters. That's not even fraction it's miniscule. Technically UNP didn't get any member elected but under the PR election system they got 1 member. In the history of SL general Elections no mainstream political party ever went without an member getting elected. 99%Lankans despise Ranil, period.

Peter Manuel Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:07 AM

Now RW's and MR's era had expired, and the young bullets should come forward and build the country. Example: you would have seen Gamini Lokuge

Charles Jansz. Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:59 AM

Pipe dreams and day dreams continue - now it is 80 per cent of the SJB, until there is a reality check !!

Nodaking kalakanniya Wednesday, 10 April 2024 03:13 PM

Pohotuwa in full blossom?

Volker Metzger Wednesday, 10 April 2024 08:04 PM

Even with a new symbol, Ranil Wickremesigne cannot hide his bad policies, which favour the rich and squeeze the poor!!! If you look at his economic and tax policies, they speak a very clear language with regard to the distribution of burdens!!! And a large proportion of SJB MPs have expressed their intention to support these blatant injustices!? Any thoughtful voter can only turn away in disgust at such MP behaviour, which is determined by personal gain!!! The biggest mistake made by Ranil and his advisors and also by parts of the SJB is the complete misjudgment of the political situation in the country and the intelligence of the voters!!!

ROHINI WIJETILLEKE Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:09 PM

Does Ranil Wickremasinghe need psychiatric evaluation. Has he forgotten that he did not get a single vote last time? Has he improved to make people believe he has done a good job?

Jeanne Friday, 12 April 2024 04:45 PM

@Rohini : Answer to your question one: No. Answer to your question two: No. Answer to your question three: Yes

kondya77 Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:56 PM

How about an Air plane since he loves to gallivant.

Jabilo Thursday, 11 April 2024 07:02 AM

Ranil is the best Buddhist politician in the triple blessed country. He displayed his political charisma after UNP's defeat in 1994 by leaving office without any delay. But after the 2005 Nov. defeat, he didn't do that and survived with the support of Pakshes thuggery politics. If he is not the best how could he be the only choice among all other enlightened for the presidency, of a country gone mad and made bankrupt by all those enlightened together with the support of their own voters who are still rice-eating cows?

Anura Thursday, 11 April 2024 08:50 AM

I don't why people hate Ranil this much. He's the only one who has done anything worthwhile to this country over the past two decades. Even those who contest against him know that. I'm pretty sure this time people will vote wisely.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS PEOPLE DISLIKE RANIL. HIS ACTIONS INDICATES HE IS A STOOGE ACTING IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE Thursday, 11 April 2024 01:52 PM

WHY!! BECAUSE THE FIRST TIHNG HE SHOULD HAVE DONE WAS ROUNDED UP ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COUNTRY'S DOWNFALL, PUT THEM BEFORE A COURT OF LAW, GOT THEIR ASSETS CONFISCATED INTO JAIL UNTIL FULL INVESTIGATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT ETC.

Ravi Thursday, 11 April 2024 08:51 AM

People realised their decision was wrong after voting rajapakses by going against Ranil in 2019. This time it will be corrected. People will give Ranil to continue his good work he did in the last two years.

GOOD WORK WILL BE WIPED AWAY IN A FLASH Thursday, 11 April 2024 09:45 PM

ALL the good work is erased BECAUSE he has LET THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS, THEIR STOOGES AND PUBLIC SERVANTS GO SCOT FREE FOR BRINGING DOWN THE COUNTRY INTO A DEEP SINK HOLE/ DIRECTLY AND OR INDIRECTLY. REASONS!!! VERY CLEAR AS CRYSTAL TO MAJORITY.

Jeanne Friday, 12 April 2024 01:47 PM

@Ravi : Well said. People have short memories in this country. They're even considering voting for a former terrorist group that destroyed lives and livelihoods in 1971. We have been fooled for long enough. Please let's just do the right thing. No one is perfect but at least we can put food on the table these days ...something that we couldn't do in 2022.

Patcitz Friday, 12 April 2024 12:20 PM

Oops! The best idea is to face Ranil's ultimate destiny.

Patcitz Friday, 12 April 2024 12:24 PM

Is this what Ranil is bragging about as youth participation in his mission to revitalize Sri Lanka's political system?

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Ranil likely to contest presidential election under new symbol: Presidential advisor

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