As the presidential election in Sri Lanka approaches, the country’s political organisations are heavily involved in campaigning.
Ranil Wickramasinghe, Sajith Premadasa, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake are the leading candidates vying for the presidency.
The electorate is divided in supporting these candidates, with artists and athletes also expressing their preferences.
Traditionally, artists have been influential in elections, and this time is no different. However, the influence of athletes is also growing, with notable cricketers such as Arjuna Ranatunga, Chaminda Vaas, and Thilakarathna Dilshan publicly backing Sajith Premadasa, who is representing the Samagi Jana Balavegaya party.
This support from prominent cricketers is expected to bolster Sajith’s campaign and increase his chances in the election.
Arjuna Ranatunga
Arjuna Ranatunga is a huge figure in Sri Lankan Test cricket and a senior figure in Sri Lankan politics. He began his political career following in the footsteps of his father, Reji Ranatunga.
But Arjuna is not Regi Ranatunga. Arjuna was a completely different politician. He started politics in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party but changed parties from time to time.
Therefore, it is not clear what his political position is. But Arjuna always stood for cricket. Thilanga, his archenemy, frequently attacked Sumathipala and his associates. But Arjuna was defeated every time.
Arjuna is supporting Sajith Premadasa in this election. Only Arjuna knows what its purpose is.
But if Arjuna appears for the sake of cricket, then Sajith is the right person for him. Sajith raised a strong voice in the Parliament against the irregularities of the cricket organisation in the past.
Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas is the most powerful fast bowler in Sri Lanka’s international cricket arena. No bowler has yet emerged to match him.
He is truly an expert. However, Chaminda Vaas is a newcomer to politics. This time, he is supporting Sajith Premadasa.
Chaminda Vaas is not as involved in cricket as Arjuna. Since retiring from the game, he has been less engaged in representing cricket.
Several reasons have influenced this. At one point, Vaas worked as the bowling coach of the Sri Lankan team, but he faced undue influence in that role, which led to his resignation.
Thilakarathna Dilshan
Dilshan was a strong batter in the Sri Lankan cricket team. He had previously supported Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in the presidential election, but later, he left the party and moved to Australia.
However, he has returned to Sri Lanka and joined active politics. Sajith Premadasa appointed Dilshan as the organiser of the Beruwala constituency, indicating that Dilshan is now fully involved in politics.
Will Sajith win because of these three
The arrival of these cricketers has strengthened Sajith’s campaign in Sri Lanka. Arjuna is a radical cricketer known for supporting cricket and working against corruption.
His presence has attracted a large group of cricket fans to support Sajith. Chaminda Vaas, although not very popular, is a talented cricketer.
His support will still benefit Sajith due to the respect he commands from cricket fans.
Similarly, Thilakarathna Dilshan has a dedicated following, especially in the Kalutara area, and remains a famous star in the cricket world. Dilshan’s continued success in cricket and the large crowds that attend his matches will also boost Sajith’s campaign.
With the presence of Arjuna, Dilshan, and Vaas, Sajith’s election campaign has significantly strengthened, resulting in large crowds gathering at his political meetings, indicating a promising future.
