Dhammika Perera ... 2020 common candidate?

Dhammika Perera ... 2020 common candidate?

Reports are published that Mr. Dhammika Perera, supposed to be the number one wealthiest man in Sri Lanka is preparing to contest the general election of 2020 on the United National Front ticket. It has been published in unconfirmed media reports that Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha has visited him to make an invitation in this connection and that they had come into an agreement in this respect.

Several months before this, what minister Rajitha had revealed was that they have a common

candidate in their party whom nobody thinks of. On the other hand, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has prepared himself to contest as the common candidate of Mahinda faction with or without co-operation of the SLFP. On such a background, the challenge of bringing forward a candidate who would come forward to contest within the pre-election period of not less than 150 days was possessed by United National Front and among names that had come forward so far in that respect are, Sajith, Karu and Ranil.

But considering the more recent environment that is prevailing, as the disappointment of the public aggravating on those involved in politics at present, what is shown by Gotabhaya coming forward is that though not connected to politics, a demand is to be created for a person suitable for organisational leadership from other aspects. It is seen in this case that UNP has thought that this suitability rests on perhaps Dhammika Perera.

Dhammika Perera is a person who wields great power in the sharemarket in Sri Lanka. All leading tile companies in Sri Lanka in fact belongs to him. The majority of shares in banks too are his. Several of financial companies belongs to him. Most of the large companies such as Singer are his.

Though Dhammika is directly not connected to politics as such, during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime he has come forward to offer his services in many a way and in this present regime too. Dhammika has even conducted many lectures towards personal welfare and business community has a special liking to know his ideas. The 'prosperous promotion' strategy of prospering a nation which he brings out in the skills he displays in business management could be contributed towards economic development of the country.

On a number of occasions previously the doubt whether Dhammika Perera would step into politics or not circulated within the media and on most such instances what he exclaimed was that he would not directly not engage in politics. However, he had pointed out that he could join in as a ministerial secretary and thereby do something for the country. In any case, as reported at present, the request made at the Ranil - Dhammika confrontation, a satisfactory response is to be observed. He has stated that if he contests at the Presidential election, he has no doubt about a victory and that he would receive support from the business community and all media and that he would be able to grant Maithripala Sirisena an honourable departure, it is reported.