Young blood for the future

A TV channel newscast (14.12.2019) showed former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as Chief Guest at a party meeting in a southern district thanking his supporters following the Presidential race defeat. In the course of his address he was tapping the side of his head indicating to the audience to use their intelligence to help him get 113 plus at the coming general elections. The dust of the Presidential election defeat is still in the air like smog and a clear indication of the way the voters used their intelligence as they did in 2010 in spite of the promises at the pre-election meetings. Within his party alone his leadership is challenged by 80% of his cabinet members with the blame squarely on him for the defeat of his belatedly selfishly proposed candidate. Even as at date he is sticking on to his leadership and one wonders whether he is on the edge of dementia.

40 years political experience and over 26 defeats at the hustings is no qualification to hold on to the party hot seat and today’s voters are far more intelligent than those of 1977. France and Finland are classic examples of young blood ready to lead their countries come what may.

Being a strong supporter of British conventions, one hopes as a last resort he will step down from his leadership as did Jeremy Corbyn with the defeat of his party at the recently concluded general elections in the interest of his party, supporters and their future in spite of his vast experience in political expediency and party supporters.

Within his party alone his leadership is challenged by 80% of his cabinet members with the blame squarely on him for the defeat of his belatedly selfishly proposed candidate