RW Can Capture Power Without Entering Parliament: Rajitha

• Sri Lanka needs a mature and capable leader in the future
• The present government may not last its full term

By Yohan Perera  

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe does not need to enter Parliament to capture political power, former MP Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.  

“One does not have to enter Parliament to capture power. 

A perfect example is the NPP, which captured power in 2024 with just three members in the House,” Senaratne told a media briefing. “I don’t think Mr. Wickremesinghe will come into Parliament,” he added. Senaratne said Sri Lanka would need a mature and capable leader in the future, noting that the present government may not last its full term. He predicted that Sri Lanka could face another crisis by 2028, as the country may fail to generate sufficient economic growth to begin settling its outstanding foreign debt.  

“It was envisaged that Sri Lanka’s economy should grow by at least 10 percent to be in a position to settle its loans. However, Sri Lanka has failed to achieve that level of economic growth by the beginning of 2025,” he said.“There are signs that people are beginning to turn against the present regime,” Senaratne added.  

He also stressed that all opposition parties should unite and get their act together to face the impending political and economic challenges.