-By A Special Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -10.Jan.2024, 11.45 PM) In a diplomatic move that has stirred the political landscape of Sri Lanka, United States Ambassador Julie Chung has initiated discussions with both President Ranil and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, urging them to build a common platform against the growing influence of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party. The surprising call for unity comes amid concerns about the JVP's increasing popularity, as recent surveys indicate an approval rating of 60%.
President Ranil, the leader of the United National Party (UNP), faced defeat in the 2020 elections but managed to secure a parliamentary seat through the national list. Subsequently, he assumed the role of Prime Minister before being selected as President by the Parliament. However, a significant faction of UNP members broke away and formed the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) under the leadership of Sajith Premadasa, who secured an impressive 54 seats in the 2020 elections.
Despite their past political differences, both the UNP and SJB have recently adopted remarkably similar economic policies, prompting Ambassador Julie Chan to address the issue during her visit to GL's residence in Colombo. During a meeting with SJB politician Professor GL Peris, the US Ambassador highlighted the striking resemblance in the economic approaches of President Ranil and Opposition Leader Sajith.
One key point of contention within this shared economic vision is Sajith Premadasa's opposition to International Monetary Fund (IMF) reforms. While President Ranil's government appears open to complying with the IMF's directives, Sajith contends that he can address Sri Lanka's economic challenges with external assistance, avoiding strict adherence to IMF guidelines.
Ambassador Julie Chung's concern about the convergence of economic policies is indicative of the United States' interest in fostering collaboration between the two leaders. The goal appears to be to create a unified front against the JVP, which has garnered significant support from the public, potentially posing a challenge to the established political order.
The JVP's rising popularity, with an approval rating of 60% in recent surveys, has become a focal point of the US Ambassador's attention. The implications of this popularity have prompted speculation that the United States is strategically encouraging President Ranil and Opposition Leader Sajith to unite in order to counter the JVP's influence in future elections, be it presidential or general.
As the political landscape in Sri Lanka evolves, the call for unity between President Ranil and Opposition Leader Sajith raises questions about the broader geopolitical considerations at play. The potential collaboration between these two political leaders could significantly impact the balance of power in the country, influencing not only domestic politics but also the dynamics of international relations.
The people of Sri Lanka now find themselves at a crossroads, observing how these diplomatic maneuvers and political alignments will shape the nation's future. The outcome of these discussions and any resultant collaboration will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences, reshaping the political narrative and determining the trajectory of Sri Lanka's governance in the coming years.
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by (2024-01-10 19:28:26)
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