LEN - www.lankaenews.com | “Exit Stage Left, Sajith ?” After Yet Another Likely Defeat, Is It Time for Sajith Premadasa to Call It Quits..?

“Exit Stage Left, Sajith ?” After Yet Another Likely Defeat, Is It Time for Sajith Premadasa to Call It Quits..?

-By: Political Editor

(Lanka-e-News -13.Nov.2024, 11.50 pm) As Sri Lankans head to the polls once more, one question looms larger than the election itself: Will Sajith Premadasa finally bow out of politics after yet another likely defeat? For a man who has lost two presidential elections and two parliamentary races, some say it’s high time for Sajith to make an exit — gracefully, if possible.

Sajith’s rise and repeated fall in politics has left a trail of disappointment among his supporters and sparked more than a few laughs among his critics. Seen by many as a crowd-pleaser with little political acumen, his charm has proven no match for a series of controversies. From accusations of looting the Central Cultural Fund to tales of treasure-hunting escapades allegedly funding a family caravan business in Australia, Sajith’s political legacy is less about policy than about a series of well-publicized gaffes and scandals.

From Ancient Artefacts to the LSE (or Did He?)

Critics argue that Sajith’s credentials have never quite lined up with the image he projects. Take, for example, his so-called education from the London School of Economics. Despite claims of high qualifications, skeptics suggest the “LSE graduate” title might be more fictional than factual. And then there are the whispered tales of ancient artifacts going mysteriously “missing” from the Presidential House after his father’s passing, sparking rumors of a side business in “cultural exports.” According to some accounts, funds from these alleged sales traveled overseas, funding a family-run caravan rental in Australia before being conveniently cycled back into Sri Lanka.

“If this story’s true, then Sajith’s not just a politician — he’s a one-man international treasure tour,” joked one Colombo resident. “We should give him a passport for the Indiana Jones Fan Club instead of a ballot.”

The Family Ties that Bind - And Sometimes Sink

One of Sajith’s political associates, Imtiaz Bakir, known for his position at SJB , has his own share of infamous family connections. Imtiaz’s cousin is now serving one of the longest prison terms in Sri Lanka’s history for the largest VAT scam the country has seen. Some speculate that Imtiaz’s support of Sajith is part of a broader play to secure a presidential pardon for his jailed relative, clearing the family name and setting up for a return to the family “business.”

Adding to the intrigue is Kabir Hashim, another Sajid ally from SJB, who has been tied to an Airbus deal, allegedly filled with financial “rewards” that raised more than a few eyebrows. Rumor has it that cuts from this deal were skillfully maneuvered across accounts, and Sajith’s critics believe that he stands to gain if these associates are kept close.

The Reluctant Leader: Sajith’s Stubborn Hold on Power

Now, as another election day dawns, Sajith’s loyalists wonder if he’ll finally take the hint and step down. “He says every position should go to the most suitable person,” remarked one SJB insider, “but when you lose presidential and parliamentary elections back-to-back, doesn’t that make you the least suitable?” Critics say his inability to bring home a win has tarnished the party’s reputation, likening Sajith’s persistence to that of Ranil Wickremesinghe, who famously clung to his party leadership for decades despite repeated losses.

“Sajith has a lot of ‘qualities,’ but if we’re honest, it’s been an education in what not to do in politics,” quipped a Colombo political analyst. “The man’s like a contestant who refuses to leave the stage after the show ends.”

The Call for New Leadership

Many within SJB now believe the party needs new blood, ideally from outside Sajith’s close-knit circle. Senior EX SJB figure Champika Ranawaka, never one to mince words, recently stated that Sajith was “voted in by uneducated people,” implying that Sajith’s appeal only goes so far. Champika’s remarks have fueled calls for the party to embrace someone with a stronger, sharper vision, untethered from Sajith’s well-worn playbook.

As social media teems with memes and posts urging Sajith to “do the right thing” and resign, some wonder if he’ll finally let go of the wheel. “The party’s already missed the bus a few times under Sajith ,” wrote one online commenter. “At this point, he’s hanging off the footboard while everyone’s yelling for him to get off.”

The End of the Road?

With election results around the corner, all eyes are on Sajith. After losing two presidential elections, two parliamentary elections, and possibly this one, many feel it’s past time for him to step aside. As one SJB supporter put it bluntly, “He can’t follow in Ranil’s footsteps forever. There’s no point hanging around the sidelines of politics just to lose.”

In a final plea, a senior SJB member said, “Sajith, please do the right thing. The people didn’t vote for you last time, or the time before that. How many times will it take? Step down and let us rebuild before we lose everything.”