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Last Updated : 2024-05-06 01:18:00
26 April 2024 06:07 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, April 26 (Daily Mirror) - Ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October this year, the foreign powers have ramped up their efforts in the assessment of ground political developments as was in the case of vital elections in the past.
The political situation is likely to heat up after May Day events in which the respective parties will try to show their political might as a launching pad for electioneering.
It is natural for foreign countries having bilateral relations with Sri Lanka to be watchful of political developments with key elections pending. However, countries such as the United States, India, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and other Western countries take particular interest in the possible outcome of elections. They have strategic and competing interests in the country.
Currently, a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is in town for an assessment of the current political situation. The delegation comprising Deputy Minister of the International Affairs Department of the CPC Ms. Sun Haiyan held talks with the political parties.
Earlier, they had talks with a delegation led by the National People’s Power (NPP) including its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake who is slated to contest the presidential elections. An informed source of the party said the CPC was keen to find out the actual standing of the NPP in Sri Lankan politics.
“The CPC delegation was keen to ascertain whether reports about our popularity correspond with ground realities,” the source said.
According to the source, the CPC delegation even had an inspection tour of the party headquarters while exchanging pleasantries with the members.
China, like the United States and India, has strategic interests in the country, and as a result is interested in assessing the possible outcome of the presidential elections well in advance.
Besides, the CPC delegation met with the representatives of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) including its founder Basil Rajapaksa and exchanged views on current politics.
The CPC, in its political headquarters in Beijing, has a separate wing for Sri Lanka. It is in touch with all the political parties in Sri Lanka as party to party relations.
Earlier, India also invited a NPP delegation led by its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a familiarization visit.
The heightened vigilance of foreign powers in Sri Lanka's presidential elections reflect the geopolitical significance of the country and its potential impact on regional dynamics. As global players vie for influence in the Indian Ocean region, Sri Lanka's strategic location and evolving political landscape have become focal points of interest.
The engagement of countries like China, India, and the United States reflects their efforts to safeguard their respective interests, ranging from economic investments to geopolitical influence.
Shunmugam Friday, 26 April 2024 06:34 AM
“ Foreign Powers Intensify Surveillance “ if this is happening to any major Western country then there would be a national outcry demanding action by intelligence , police , armed forces , and public inquiries. America had so many commissions of inquiry to find out if Russia involved in influencing it’s elections, in Canada commission of inquiry is in progress examining if China and India were involved in election interference. But in Sri Lanka because it is a powerless small country we are covering for our powerlessness by pretending that it is okay for foreign countries to put our country under intense surveillance during the elections.
FredSnr Friday, 26 April 2024 06:56 AM
Does this mean that we have now lost our independence and our sovereignty to decide. Time will tell but the way assets are being sold, agreements signed. looks increasingly that way. We are at the behest of foreign powers.And we continue to fight and quarrel amongst ourselves .Elections are round the corner.The voters will decide.Let us hope they can decide wisely. Foreign powers can't help us they have their own agendas. Only we can.
Punchi Friday, 26 April 2024 07:05 AM
Only China and India may be interested. However we we elect an overtly pro China government which we are unlikely to do, but never know. India will put in measures including developing ports in the South to bypass lankan ports etc and impoverish our country. Maybe we can observe how pro China policies is impacting maldives to see what can happen to us
Mohandev Friday, 26 April 2024 07:08 AM
That's called western war mongering regime changing mafias SL has failed to acknowledge nor kick them out
B.B. Marasingha Friday, 26 April 2024 07:17 AM
JVP and their die hard carders always place themselves high in snake and ladder. What popularity about CPC? SINOPEC!! BBM
Jude Friday, 26 April 2024 07:26 AM
Hey Kelum Bandara, You're are exaggerating the situation!! Let me Tell you most countries don't give a damn about Lankan presidential elections. In the history Lankan elections were held Free
Lankan Man Friday, 26 April 2024 12:12 PM
100% agreed.
Jude Friday, 26 April 2024 07:30 AM
Kelum Bandara You're trying portray if රතු සහෝදරයන් come into power there will be diplomatic catastrophe beyond imagination!! Hey Kelum, are you on government payroll!???
CONCERNED Friday, 26 April 2024 07:51 AM
AS USUAL CHINA FIRST TO JUMP IN TO SEE IF THEY CAN SWAY ANY OPPOSITION PARTY/S WHOEVER THEY MAY BE, AS THEY ALREADY ARE WELL ALIGNED WITH THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT. ALL THEY ARE AFTER IS A STRONG HOLD ON COMING INTO THE COUNTRY WITH THE AGENDA OF USING HAMBANTOTA AND MATALA IN THEIR ENDEAVOURS IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR INTENDED WAR WITH TAIWAN AND SHIPS TO ENTER TO SURVEY INFORMATION TO BENEFIT THEIR AGENDAS, WHICH WILL ONLY BE THE TOTAL DOWNFALL OF OUR COUNTRY.
European Friday, 26 April 2024 08:06 AM
More Western countries? Most Europeans can not find Sri Lanka on a map. There is a war going on here, we have more important things on our mind.
Bernard Jayatilake Friday, 26 April 2024 08:22 AM
It can be assumed given the keen interest shown by the Communist Party of China in the domestic politics, in the event the NPP(JVP) emerging victorious at the hustings, Sri Lanka would become a colony of China.
CHINA HAS BEEN FOR DECADES PRESSING TO GAIN A STRONG FOOTHOLD IN THE COUNTRY WITH AN AGENDA OF THEIR OWN. Friday, 26 April 2024 01:59 PM
NPP/JVP ARE NOT GOING TO PERMIT CHINA TO CONTROL THEIR RUNNING OF THE COUNTRY, TIME TO WAKE UP DREAMING. THE PARTY THAT IS NOW RULING IN THE MAJORITY WAS ELECTED BY THE STUPIDITY OF THE PEOPLE, RANIL IS PRESIDENT BUT UNELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. PAST TWO DECADES CHINA HAS SLOWLY/SURELY WORKED THEIR WAY TO THE POINT THAT LED US INTO A DEATH TRAP AND SECURED A 99 YEAR LEASE ON THE HAMBANTOTA PORT THEY BUILT.
Tragedy of Lebanon - the Paris in Middle East Friday, 26 April 2024 08:27 AM
It is the same interest some western countries, Israel and USSR showed in Lebanon 50 years ago. They - all foreign powers fought a war inside borders of Lebanon, using all heavy weapons available at that time. Lebanon was ruined and its citizens became refugees in their own country and abroad. All foreign powers, they went back home, as if nothing happened. Lebanon has still not recovered. Ruined landscape bear witness even today. This is a lesson to our political donkeys.
navratne willamune Friday, 26 April 2024 08:31 AM
they have done their job aiding Ranil to win just waiting for the inevitable.IE aid /soft loans from IMF.remember the americans publickly admitted spending 500000.00dolars on Fonsekas presidential campaign
Gabriella Friday, 26 April 2024 08:45 AM
Countries are pursuing their geopolitical interests. The interests of the country and people are of little concern. If the Rajapaksa’s are re-elected the CCP would be ecstatic; despite the devastation they (Rajapaksa’s) have wreaked on the country.
Ratnasiri Hadiranpola Friday, 26 April 2024 08:55 AM
Political interference by so called global powers to dominate this country runs into recent 6 centuries of past history. So our leaders must give priority to the country than infighting to stabilise their personal agendas which will never happen.
This is reality Friday, 26 April 2024 09:03 AM
SL may be just a 'tiny drop' in the Indian Ocean but it certainly clouts a geat geopolitical importance to powerful nations. Only problem is that the respective governments steering its course maneuver it only for self interests of politicians.
Lk Friday, 26 April 2024 09:57 AM
If BASIL AND MR are supporting any party and anyone all those people are bound to fail .. That is the political pulse as of now . People don't want them back who destroyed the country and its economy
Roshanaly Friday, 26 April 2024 09:58 AM
Don't waste the time. There will be election only if RW feel that he will win.
Ronnie Friday, 26 April 2024 11:07 AM
Forigen powers for surveillance is a good thing but still i dont think any surveillance can help sri lanka with the fellows we have In the circle to rebuild this nation might take a beating more foriegn interference might help on the long run with reforms to stop corruption bribery law and order to improve local and foriegn investments and for nations prosperity that would help the country to move forward.......not a easy task
Joe Friday, 26 April 2024 11:13 AM
This in line of the bogus lies that Singapore leader wanted to turn his country to a Lanka! Nobody gives a damn about Lanka.
A reader Friday, 26 April 2024 02:16 PM
At the time in question, Ceylon was ahead of Singapore. More importantly, PM Lee Kuan Yew and his successors learned by observing our country, some important lessons on what not to permit in their multi-ethnic, multi-religious country. Singaporean rulers have made their stance on preserving national unity abundantly clear. Censorship of foreign publications, restrictions on importing religious publications and rules governing public gatherings exceeding five people are a few that come to mind.
US and UK don't have interest except to keep China out Friday, 26 April 2024 08:15 PM
UK and US have no long term interests here. They are not competitive enough to do anything here. It is the Indian and China businesses that are by and large successful. Only reason UK and US interested about alignment of candidates is that they want to make China anyway weaker, and they will probably fund for any and all candidates who are against China.
kondaya77 Saturday, 27 April 2024 12:46 AM
How about U.S.A. ,Trump will surely try his larks, play havoc if he loses,Many a fool follow him.
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