By F. F. Mushfika

Regardless of announcing that Sajith Premadasa would contest the presidential election stating that “even though it is an uphill struggle” in his tweeter account, he withdrew himself from the list. Following the decision he tweeted as, “for the greater good for my country that I love and the people I cherish I hereby withdraw my candidacy for the position of president.” He also mentioned his intention to support Dullas Alahapperuma. Although Sajith has become one of the members of interest of the public, he chooses to move out from contesting. However, it is unlikely he would have been victorious as the voters for the interim presidency shall be the parliamentarians who was indefinitely favouring Ranil Wickremasinghe.

Does Sajith deserve a chance? Why does many prefer him abruptly? Why should he be the next president? These are essentially important questions to discuss.

Today, the Sri Lankans portray a different attitude and perception towards their government. This is because they expect profound changes to the constitution. This is the result of the on-going crisis that the Sri Lankans face presently. The weightlifting blunders of the previous government under the presidency of Gotabaya Rajapaksa has failed the people. Currently people are struggling with soaring inflation rate, never-ending queues, and rising unemployment. People have started to criticize how inefficient their leaders have been in their past. They also started to dig deep into their educational backgrounds and criminal records. This has brought Sajith Premadasa once again, into the limelight.

Sajith Premadasa is a prominent person in the field of politics. His father was late Ranasinghe Premadasa who was a president. He is one of the few from the people who have pursued higher education. He is fluent in economics, politics and international relations and proudly owns a graduation from London School of Economics and the University of London. He has worked much along with the UNP leader- Ranil Wickremasinghe. However, he split from him prior to the last election, formed SJB and secured him as the main opposition leader.

Most importantly, Sajith is a genuine patriotic person who is plainly in love with his country. He dropped his studies and continued from where his father left as a legacy. He is talented and a fluent speaker of English which is an essential factor in maintaining international relations. In addition, he has an effective and efficient team who stands as an “united people’s power.” This includes Sarath Fonseka – currently a vibrant speaker and supporter of the “Aragalaya” commonly known as the people’s protest. He is a field marshal and an experienced army officer who played a significant role in subduing the LTTE during the civil war. Also, members like Harsha de Silva who is an economist with a sound background of knowledge, Abdul Haleem who holds a diploma in banking, Lakshman Kiriella and Thalatha Athukorala who are lawyers are some of the characters in his alliance as a party. These members represent a fruitful ruling under the leadership of Sajith Premadasa.

As prominently said by the Welsh proverb “he that would be a leader must be a bridge” needs some attention. Sajith Premadasa has a clear understanding to perform as a whole and a team in achieving their goal. He has the capacity to negotiate and bring forth the people who are eligible and capable of handling affairs with a proper knowledge and guidance. He certainly believes that a leader needs to assist their collaborators in what they are thorough rather than merely influence them with one’s opinions. He says, “we will defeat this culture of family dominated politics and bring an era of clean politics where priority would be given to one’s capability and skills rather that one’s last name.” This ensures strong dislike to nepotism where the Sri Lankans are exhausted in witnessing family-oriented leadership under the Rajapakshas.

Although Sri Lankans as of today are more reluctant to believe the promises of the politicians, they understand the necessity of education and educated rulers. This brings Sajith Premadasa as a competitive candidate for presidency. In a widespread outlook Sajith Premadasa has no criminal records nor does he have any allegiance to any type of criminal activities so far. In fact, some even see him as “too good” for the politics. Yet is crucial that Sri Lankans needs to take a risk and trust their gut feeling for a complete and a practical change.

It is important that Sri Lanka needs to win the trust of the international. Sri Lanka is now widely discussed in terms of corruption associating with corrupted politicians. This must be changed. In order to bring that change it is compulsory that Sri Lankans need a better leader with a better qualification and a background. This will ensure foreign reserves to be increasing over the time when the internationals start to believe that Lankans are striving with a patriotic leader.

In brief, Sajith Premadasa deserves an opportunity. Before him, the country itself needs a change to steer away from the base of functioning as a crisis-ridden nation. Sajith Premadhasa on the other hand stands as an ideal candidate with his unique capabilities as a collaborator with his weaknesses that definitely lures people into doubt. Still, he deserves an opportunity. As a person of knowledge, vision, goals with a far-sight and reasoning - Sajith Premadasa is an ideal candidate. The citizens need to give the crown and watch him play for once. With that, I shall remind a famous quote of leadership of Albert Einstein – states as,

“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another; it is the only means.”