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  • The crucial role of minority votes in the Presidential Election - 2024
    The crucial role of minority votes in the Presidential Election - 2024 Sri Lanka is approaching one of its most pivotal presidential elections, scheduled for September 21, 2024. This election is a significant event for the nation, marked by economic turmoil, political uncertainty, and a growing desire for systemic change. With 39 candidates vying for the presidency, the contest has narrowed down to three leading figures: incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP); with the fourth-force being Namal Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). However, the complexity of the race, coupled with a fractured electorate, has raised the possibility that no candidate will secure the necessary 50% +1 of the votes in the first...
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  • Anti-terrorism Bill will be changed
    The highly controversial Antiterrorism Bill is subject to amendments and changes in Parliament and as such no one should have any fear or feeling of threat from the proposed Bill, Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. The government is aware of concerns raised by the global and local community on certain provisions contained in the draft of the Anti-terrorism Bill and the Government is ready to alleviate them by discussion, compromise and flexibility, he added. Addressing a news conference at the Information Department auditorium, Minister Rajapakshe said the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) passed in 1979 under President J.R. Jayewardene’s rule as a temporary measure to counter the emerging separatist insurgency. The PTA has been misused and exploited by successive Governments since then for their personal and political...
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  • WhatsApp adds option to use the same account on multiple phones
    WhatsApp users are no longer restricted to using their account on just a single phone. Today, the Meta-owned messaging service is announcing that its multi-device feature — which previously allowed you to access and send messages from additional Android tablets, browsers, or computers alongside your primary phone — is expanding to support additional smartphones. “One WhatsApp account, now across multiple phones” is how the service describes the feature, which it says is rolling out to everyone in the coming weeks.
    Setting up a secondary phone to use with your WhatsApp account happens after doing a fresh install of the app. Except, rather than entering your phone number during setup and logging in as usual, you instead tap a new “link to existing account” option. This will generate a QR...
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  • CBK commends Dr. Shafi’s noble gesture of donating past salary to buy essential medicine
    Falsely accused by racist elements for alleged illegal sterilisation, Kurunegala Teaching Hospital doctor says racism will not take country or organisation forward except make poor people suffer more; calls on all to make Sri Lanka racism-free   Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has commended Dr. Mohamed Shafi Shihabdeen over his gesture of donating the past salaries amounting to Rs. 2.6 million during his suspension and imprisonment on false charges to buy essential medicines. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

    Dr. Mohamed Shafi Shihabdeen



    Following...
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  • Dr. Shafi donates arrears of his salary to purchase medicines for hospitals
    Dr. Shihabdeen Mohamed Shafi, the doctor at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital has decided to donate arrears of his salary amounting over Rs. 2.67 million for the purchase of essential medicines for hospitals.

    Dr. Shafi who was on compulsory leave on charges of performing infertility surgery, has received a cheque of over Rs. 2.67 million salary arrears from the Health Ministry last week.

    The salary arrears include the basic salary, interim allowance, cost of living, and allowance in lieu of pension for the period of compulsory leave imposed on Dr. Sihabdeen.

    Dr. Shafi who was employed at the Kurunegala teaching hospital was arrested on May 25th, 2019, on charges of performing infertility surgery.
    On July 25, 2019, the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court ordered that the doctor be released on bail.
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  • Govt. used Sinhala-Buddhist shield to its maximum benefit Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thera
    This Govt. nurtured thug-like monks promoted them and deployed them in various  places Certain monks have severe psychological wounds If  society isn’t healed cases of domestic violence, harassment and child  abuse will be on the rise Reconciliation  was about having workshops, providing a report and earning dollars Accountability  has not been included in the Constitution or the Judicial system Terrorism  sprouts in a country that has no justice Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thera who currently heads the Walpola Rahula Institute for Buddhist Studies has been addressing issues related to social justice and harmony while promoting an inclusive and plural society. Having gathered a wealth of experience during the height of war for instance and having encountered various incidents during his lifetime, Ven. Dhammananda Thera has...
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  • Health ministry to pay back-wages for Dr. Shafi before July 10
    The Ministry of Health today gave an undertaking before the Court of Appeal that the salary and allowances payable to Dr. Shafi  Shihabdeen will be paid before July 10 this year. The Ministry of Health gave this undertaking pursuant to a writ petition filed by Dr. Shafi  Shihabdeen, who was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the alleged sterilisation of female patients. The Director General of Establishment at the Ministry of Public Services had earlier informed the Court that the basic salary, interim allowance, cost of living and allowance in lieu of pension could be paid to Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, for the compulsory leave period. Meanwhile, the petitioner expressed willingness to attend the preliminary inquiry before Director of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Dr. Chandana Kendangamuwa. Taking into consideration the facts,...
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  • Sri Lanka court orders release of lawyer held for two years
    A Sri Lankan court has ordered the release on bail of a lawyer arrested over his alleged links to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and held for nearly two years on charges rights groups say lacked credible evidence. Hejaaz Hizbullah was arrested in April 2020 and accused of being linked to the attacks on churches and hotels that left 279 people dead. But after prosecutors failed to provide evidence of his involvement in the attacks, blamed on a local group, he was instead Read More...
  • Hejaaz Hizbullah leaves from remand custody
    Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah today left from remand custody after fulfilling his bail conditions before Puttlalam High Court.

    He was incarcerated for 22 months for allegedly committing offences come under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.Last Monday (07), the Court of Appeal ordered to release Hizbullah on bail pursuant to a revision application filed on behalf him.Hizbullah was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs.100,000 with two sureties of Rs.500,000 by Puttlalam High Court Judge Kumari Abeyratne. He was further ordered to report to the DIG office of Puttalam Police Division every second and fourth Sunday of every month.An indictment under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act has now been served on Hejaaz Hizbullah. According to the indictment, Hizbullah...
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  • හිජාස් ගෙදර යයි

    (නිමන්ති රණසිංහ සහ හිරාන් ප්‍රියංකර ජයසිංහ) ත්‍රස්තවාදය වැළැක්වීමේ පනත සහ සිවිල් හා දේශපාලන අයිතීන් පිළිබද ජාත්‍යන්තර සම්මුති පනත ප්‍රකාරව චෝදනා ලැබ වසර දෙකකට ආසන්න කාලයක් රක්ෂිත බන්ධනාගාර ගත කර සිටි නිතීඥ හිජාස් හිස්බුල්ලා මහතා අභියාචනාධිකරණ නියෝගය ප්‍රකාරව ඇප මත මුදාහැරීමට පුත්තලම මහාධිකරණය අද (09)...
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The crucial role of minority votes in the Presidential Election - 2024

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The crucial role of minority votes in the Presidential Election - 2024

Sri Lanka is approaching one of its most pivotal presidential elections, scheduled for September 21, 2024. This election is a significant event for the nation, marked by economic turmoil, political uncertainty, and a growing desire for systemic change. With 39 candidates vying for the presidency, the contest has narrowed down to three leading figures: incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP); with the fourth-force being Namal Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). However, the complexity of the race, coupled with a fractured electorate, has raised the possibility that no candidate will secure the necessary 50% +1 of the votes in the first round. If so, Sri Lanka could see its first-ever second-round vote counting based on second and third preferences​.

The candidates at the forefront

Ranil Wickremesinghe, currently the sitting president, was not particularly popular before Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis. However, his leadership during the economic recovery has helped him gain support, especially among the business elite. These supporters appreciate his efforts to stabilise the country and worry that a shift in leadership could derail the recovery process. Political analysts note that while Sri Lanka's economy is still fragile, "the country is on track and may recover thanks to Wickremesinghe’s intervention." For his backers, continuity is key, and they believe that what the country needs now is stability rather than political upheaval.

Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), remains a critical figure in this race. Having secured 42% of the vote in the 2019 election, he has maintained a loyal base, particularly among working-class citizens and minority communities. However, Premadasa faced criticism for refusing to join Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government during the height of the economic crisis. Some saw this as a missed opportunity to show leadership in a moment of national urgency. Despite this, his campaign is centred on themes of reform and social justice, which resonate with large segments of the population seeking change.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) has emerged as a significant contender, especially appealing to younger voters and those dissatisfied with the traditional political elite. His anti-corruption stance and grassroots appeal have gained him traction, particularly following the 2022 economic protests. Recent polls suggest that Dissanayake has been leading the race by a considerable margin, with one survey indicating 59% support. However, questions remain about whether his surge in popularity will translate into votes at the polls. Despite his rise, some sceptics point to his lack of administrative experience as a potential hurdle to his candidacy.

Namal Rajapaksa’s candidacy represents an attempt by the Rajapaksa family to regain its political foothold. However, his chances of winning are considered slim, with polls indicating that he trails behind the other three candidates. Namal’s challenge lies in shedding the negative legacy of his family, which is widely blamed for the economic collapse in 2022. Despite being part of the Rajapaksa dynasty, Namal attempts to rebrand himself as a modern, youth-oriented leader. Still, public scepticism remains high, particularly among minority communities such as Tamils and Muslims, who hold the Rajapaksa family responsible for past human rights violations​. His entry into the race appears to be more about preserving his family’s political legacy rather than winning, with many viewing his bid as a test run for future elections​


Tamil and Muslim voting dynamics


Tamil voters: a complex decision

The Tamil vote is equally fragmented but could be decisive in a second-round scenario. Due to historical grievances, many Tamil voters remain sceptical of both Sinhalese parties, the UNP (Ranil) and SJB (Sajith). Distrust of significant parties has made some Tamil voters more open to supporting Dissanayake, who they see as outsiders to the entrenched political elite. However, his Marxist past and association with Sinhala nationalist movements may still limit his appeal among more conservative Tamil voters.

That said, pragmatism versus idealism is likely to shape Tamil voting patterns. While some Tamil voters are drawn to the idealism of Dissanayake’s platform, others may opt for Premadasa or Wickremesinghe, believing that these candidates can offer more concrete benefits, such as regional autonomy or economic stability. Additionally, the second and third preferences of Tamil voters could play a decisive role if the election goes to a second round.

Muslim voters: divided allegiances

The Muslim electorate, traditionally seen as a critical swing vote, appears to be split into three key groups in this election. Business elites are expected to support Ranil Wickremesinghe due to his focus on economic stability. Wickremesinghe’s government has earned favour with this group by stabilising the economy post-crisis, which aligns with their priority of maintaining continuity in governance. Meanwhile, traditional Muslim political followers are more likely to vote for Sajith Premadasa, as his SJB party has historically garnered support from Muslim political leaders and the electorate aligned with them.

However, the most significant shift seems to be occurring among Muslim youth and reform-minded Muslims, who are leaning heavily toward Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This group is driven by disillusionment with the existing political system and a desire for genuine change, which aligns with Dissanayake’s anti-corruption stance and call for systemic reform. His appeal to younger voters, particularly those who feel alienated by the mainstream political discourse, has positioned him as the favoured candidate for those seeking a break from the status quo. Many believe that the number of youth and progressive-minded Muslim voters supporting Dissanayake will likely outstrip those voting for Wickremesinghe or Premadasa.

The role of second-preference voting

If no candidate wins a clear majority in the first round, second-preference votes could determine the next president—a scenario that has never played out in Sri Lankan elections. With the vote likely to be split among Wickremesinghe, Premadasa, and Dissanayake, second-preference votes could prove decisive. The Election Commission has confirmed that the second and third preferences will be counted if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote. This would make the fragmented votes of minority groups, particularly Muslims and Tamils, key to determining the ultimate winner​.

A historic election with an uncertain outcome

Sri Lanka’s 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be a watershed moment for the country. With no clear frontrunner expected to secure a majority in the first round, the election is poised to enter uncharted territory. The second-preference votes, particularly from the Muslim and Tamil communities, could be the key to determining whether Sri Lanka continues with the economic stability of Wickremesinghe, opts for the reforms of Premadasa, or embraces the radical change promised by Dissanayake. Whatever the outcome, this election will have a lasting impact on the future of Sri Lanka’s political and economic landscape.​

www.slmuslims.com team




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