Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Saliya Pieris said that the anticipated victory of NPP’s Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake reflects the public’s strong desire for genuine change.
However, Peiris cautioned Dissanayake to learn from the downfall of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whose landslide election win five years ago ended abruptly when he failed to meet the expectations of the people.
“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,” Pieris said in a Facebook post.
“This victory is a tribute to the millions who voted for him, driven by a desire to build a nation free from corruption, cronyism, and favoritism, where citizens can live safe and prosperous lives,” he said.
Pieris acknowledged that the new President will face significant challenges, particularly in forming a government, navigating the transition of power, and calling for a general election.
He expressed hope that Dissanayake’s pragmatic approach, demonstrated throughout his career and campaign, will serve him well as he takes on the role of President.
Pieris also cautioned Dissanayake to be wary of the Executive Presidency’s vast powers and to exercise them with a sense of public responsibility.
“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,” Peiris said. (Newswire)
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