Presidential Election: New alliances, crossovers, strategic realignments on the cards

• Patali Champika’s URF to back Sajith today?  
• People’s Alliance that brought CBK to power in 1994 is revived in favour of President  

New alliances, crossovers and strategic realignments appear to be taking centre stage ahead of the nomination period of the Presidential Election.  

The Election Commission will accept nominations for the Presidential Election tomorrow.  

Followed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rajitha Senaratne joining hands with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the United Republican Front (URF) led by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka is slated to announce his position today. It is indicative by his actions and remarks that he is heading to throw his weight behind Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). Mr. Ranawaka was elected to Parliament on the SJB ticket. Later, he fell out with its leadership and acted independently in Parliament.  

Before taking his decision to back the candidacy of Mr. Premadasa, he engaged in political talks with other parties and alliances except Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the National People’s Power (NPP). His talks with the SLPP faction led by Anura Priyadarshana Yapa did not succeed, eventually leading him to take a decision in favour of the SJB leadership once again.   

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the largest Tamil party based in the north and the east, is also expected to announce its political decision in view of the Presidential Election. A section of the party is in favour of backing common Tamil candidate P. Ariyanetran whereas the other faction stands for a main candidate from the south on conditions.   

In what appeared to be yet another development ahead of the nomination day, the People’s Alliance operating under the chair symbol is again being revived after more than two decades. 

It was the alliance led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in 1994 to field Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. She won the election in 1994 on the PA ticket to become the Prime Minister first and then the President later. She was elected to the presidency for the second time under the same symbol.  

Now, the party is revived by the SLPP faction led by Mr. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa which has already sided with the President. A collective of political parties and groups will join hands under the banner of PA today at a function.  

Also, individual political crossovers are also likely to happen in the days to come. These developments are set to add momentum to an already heated campaign, with each faction striving to consolidate power and present a united front to the electorate.