Spectacular performance for AKD

Former President at the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Saliya Peiris, made the following comment via Facebook:

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 was a spectacular performance for him and the NPP, transforming the country’s political landscape.

AKD’s victory is a tribute to the millions who voted for him, wanting real change for a country free of corruption, cronyism, and favoritism where they and their children can live safe and comfortable lives.

The new President will face many challenges in the days, weeks, and months ahead when he assumes office, forms a government, and then dissolves Parliament and has 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 realize that as the President, he will have to be a unifying figure, recognizing 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 spectacularly 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