As Sri Lanka approaches the presidential election, the resignation of Governor A J M Muzammil and his support for Sajith Premadasa could influence the final outcomes, adding to the intricate dynamics of the upcoming vote.
In an unexpected political twist, Sri Lanka’s Provincial Governor A J M Muzammil resigned from his post and pledged his support to opposition leader Sajith Premadasa just hours after a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha. The resignation, announced on the eve of the presidential election scheduled for September 21, has sparked speculation about its timing and implications.
Muzammil, who has served as the Governor of the Uva province since August 2020, tendered his resignation letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, expressing his disappointment with certain governors who have openly supported various presidential candidates while holding office. In his resignation letter, Muzammil stated, “I wish to inform Your Excellency that, after my resignation, I intend to support Presidential Candidate Hon. Sajith Premadasa.”
The governor’s resignation comes 16 days before the crucial presidential poll, with analysts predicting a fragmented vote that may prevent any candidate from securing an outright majority. Muzammil’s resignation and subsequent endorsement of Premadasa add a significant political shift to the already dynamic election landscape.
Muzammil, a 75-year-old former Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council, had been a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics. He continued as governor under the current President Wickremesinghe after the previous president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, resigned in July 2022 amid mass protests and a severe economic crisis.
Regular meetings
Earlier in the day, Muzammil had met with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha at India House, the official residence of the High Commissioner. The meeting, described by an Indian High Commission spokesperson as a “regular session on political dialogue and bilateral relations,” has been confirmed to have no direct connection to Muzammil’s resignation or his support for Premadasa.
“It is one of the regular meetings on political dialogue and bilateral relations,” the spokesperson stated. “India has no involvement in Muzammil’s resignation or his pledge to back Premadasa.”
Muzammil’s switch in political allegiance is notable, given his history of shifting alliances and positions. His recent endorsement of Premadasa follows a decision by Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), to support Premadasa in the upcoming presidential election. This decision came after a meeting between ITAK leaders and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who had advised Tamil legislators to negotiate with a viable candidate who could address Tamil aspirations.
India’s neutral stance
Despite the flurry of political manoeuvring, India has maintained a neutral stance in Sri Lankan presidential politics. Doval’s visit to Sri Lanka included meetings with several top candidates, including President Wickremesinghe, Premadasa, Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, and Namal Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In addition to political developments, India and Sri Lanka have been engaged in negotiations over various infrastructure projects, including renewable energy plants and port deals. However, many of these agreements remain unsigned. India has also expressed concerns over the presence of Chinese research vessels in Sri Lankan waters, citing regional security issues.
As Sri Lanka approaches the presidential election, the resignation of Governor A J M Muzammil and his support for Sajith Premadasa could influence the final outcomes, adding to the intricate dynamics of the upcoming vote.
