File photo of Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It is said that apart from Mahinda and Gotabaya, former Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa did not participate in Sri Lanka’s November 14 general election. | Photo Credit: AP
Neither brother of Rajapaksa, who dominated Sri Lankan politics for decades until he is removed from office in 2022, will contest the island nation’s general election next month.
As nominations for the November 14 parliamentary elections close on Friday (October 11, 2024), the list of candidates submitted by Podujana Peramuna Sri Lanka Rajapaksas (SLPP or People’s Front) shows former President and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, 78 years old. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 75, former Minister of Irrigation Chamal Rajapaksa, 81, former Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa, 73, did not run.
Also read: The Rajapaksas | Four brothers in one government
Furthermore, Mr. Mahinda’s son, Namal Rajapaksa, who is a Cabinet Minister in Mr. Gotabaya’s government, is not competing but is on the party’s “national list”, which includes the names of members who will be nominated for additional seats that the party can secure, based on a share of the votes. poll.
Mr. Namal ran for president in the September 2024 election and came fourth, receiving only 2.57% of the total vote. The Rajapaksa clan dominated the Cabinet in the last administration and some members of the family also held important positions in the government.
The new presidential contest, the first election to be held after the island’s 2022 crisis, sees popular opposition legislators. Anura Kumara Dissanayake emerged the winner with 42.31% of the vote, drastically undermining Sri Lanka’s political establishment.
Also read: Janatha Aragalaya | The movement that launched Rajapaksa
President Dissanayake’s National People’s Power Coalition (NPP), led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), is seeking a majority in the 225-member House of Representatives. The NPP needs to increase its share of seats from three in the last parliament, to 113 for the simple majority that Mr. Dissanayake needs to continue his policies and legislative promises.
‘Fear of losing’
In addition to Rajapaksas, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena have also opted out of the November 14 race. Prominent opposition politician and former cabinet minister Patali Champika Ranawakaand hardline nationalist politician Wimal Weerawansa also resigned.
NPP member and former MP Bimal Rathnayake said by electing Mr Dissanayake, Sri Lankans had done “a great thing”. “These corrupt and racist politicians decided not to contest in order not to lose,” he told local media.
Asked about the SLPP’s decision not to field a senior Rajapaksa, party secretary-general Sagara Kariyawasam said Mr Mahinda – who has been in parliament, cumulatively, for more than four decades – had “done his part”. “He rescued the country from war, led us through the best phase of development in our country. He has done the best,” said Mr. Kariyawasam The Hindu without commenting on the decision of the other Rajapaksa brothers. However, Mr Chamal’s son, Shasheendra Rajapaksa, is contesting from the southern Monaragala district, he said.
Also read: Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna | Party for Rajapaksa
Many observers say that the former political heavyweight’s decision to withdraw from the race reflects the churn of the results of the people’s struggle or ‘Janatha Aragalaya’ in 2022. In addition to demanding Mr. Gotabaya’s resignation, the protesters called for “system” change”.
Commenting on the social media platform ‘X’, senior Sri Lankan journalist Marianne David noted: “One of the best results in Aragalaya is that politicians ‘forever’ resign and retire or choose not to participate in general elections, knowing that they will be. The door is open by people. A lot of garbage comes out on its own.”
According to Sandun Thudugala of the Colombo-based non-profit organization Law and Society Trust, the changes emerging in Sri Lanka’s political landscape did not start today. “Many are saying that people are going to the streets in 2022 because they don’t have electricity and gas. The truth is that they are also outside because the ruling class has had enough for a long time. The people are protesting to seize their power,” said the activist. In his view, the “discredited politician” has now “accepted defeat”. “I feel it Aragalaya the end of fulfillment. This is really a victory for the people,” said Mr. Thudugala.
Published – 12 October 2024 16:27 IST
