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2. Maithripala Sirisena

   Minister of Health
3. Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He joined mainstream politics in 1989 and has held several ministries since 1994.Wikipedia
5. Born: September 3, 1951 (age 63), Sri Lanka
6. Spouse: Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari
7. Office: Minister of Health since 2010
8. Party: Sri Lanka Freedom Party
9. Children: Daham Tharaka

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2. Maithripala Sirisena

   Minister of Health
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   2. Maithripala Sirisena

      Minister of Health
   3. Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He joined mainstream politics in 1989 and has held several ministries since 1994.Wikipedia
   5. Born: September 3, 1951 (age 63), Sri Lanka
   6. Spouse: Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari
   7. Office: Minister of Health since 2010
   8. Party: Sri Lanka Freedom Party
   9. Children: Daham Tharaka

   
   Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He joined mainstream politics in 1989 and has held several ministries since 1994.Wikipedia
5. Born: September 3, 1951 (age 63), Sri Lanka
6. Spouse: Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari
7. Office: Minister of Health since 2010
8. Party: Sri Lanka Freedom Party
9. Children: Daham Tharaka

CAN MAITHRI BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT?

At the last Presidential Election held in 2010  the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksha received 57.88 of the total votes polled. At that time he was at the peak of his popularity due to the defeat of the LTTE.

The last Uva provincial Council results showed that Mahinda government’s popularity had dwindled by 21 %.

It is very clear that Mahinda’s popularity was nose diving  during the last two years due to the high cost of living, corruptions, family bandyism and dictatorial rule.

There is no doubt Mahinda’s popularity had dropped at least by 5% before Maithri and other government Ministers and MPs crossed to the Opposition which means Mahinda’s popularity had dropped to at least to 52%.

Now what is the situation after Maithri and others left the government?

There is no doubt Maithri can get at least 10% of SLFP votes in the event the election is held tomorrow. But in one month’s time Maithri will get at least 25% of SLFP votes.

The UNP has a block vote of 35% and the JVP has a block vote of 5%. Those votes go to Maithi at the next Election.

 90% of Tamils and Muslims will vote Maithri as they do not trust Mahinda.

Finally the JHU’s support for Maithri will add around  one hundred thousand votes to Maithri.

Who is there to vote Mahinda?

It seems that the majority of SLFPers will vote Mahinda. Though Tondaman promised to support to Mahinda two MPs of his party have already joined the UNP. Hence Mahinda will  get less votes from the Upcountry Tamils. The LSSP and the CP has no voter base.

Except one  UNP Pradesheeya Sabha member not a single UNP representative has crossed to the Opposition.

It is most likely more government MPs will cross to the Opposition to support Maithri in the coming weeks.

The above facts prove that Maithri will become the next President with a comfortable majority.

By Bertie Ranaweerage (Former president of Ceylon Teachers Union