Although the final result is yet to be declared, it is now clear that Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be the next President of Sri Lanka.
It has been a spectacular performance for him and the NPP which has transformed the political landscape of the country.
AKD’s victory is a tribute to the millions of people who voted for him with a desire of real change for a country free of corruption, cronyism and favouritism where they and their children can live a safe and comfortable life.
The new President will face many challenges in the days, weeks and months ahead when he assumes office, forms a government and then proceeds to dissolve Parliament and have a general election. The common sense and pragmatic wisdom he has demonstrated throughout his career and during his campaign, will hopefully stand in good stead during the years of his Presidency.
AKD must be mindful of the pitfalls of the Executive Presidency and that he needs to exercise its vast powers in public trust. The new President will need to realise that as the President he will have to be a unifying figure, recognising that nearly half of the voters did not vote for him but that he is their President too.
AKD will no doubt learn a lesson from the fate of Gotabhaya Rajapakse who was elected in a spectacular manner five years ago but who had to depart from office unceremoniously because he failed to meet the aspirations and expectations of the people who voted for him.
From Saliya Peris FB.