After the signing of the Indo-Lanka Agreement in 1987, then Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi invited JR as the chief guest on the Republic Day of India in 1988. JR, when he was getting ready to go to India, was in two minds whether to contest the presidency or not. The reason for this was according to the constitution, JR could not run for another term. Ministers close to JR suggested that he change the constitution and contest again.
Whilst he was contemplating this, he was invited by Rajiv Gandhi to attend India’s Republic Day as the Chief Guest. Rajiv Gandhi accorded JR a warm welcome when he visited India. India’s invitation to JR as the chief guest on Republic Day is a rare opportunity for a Sri Lankan head of state. It is mentioned in JR’s book that while JR was in India Rajiv asked JR to contest the presidential election again. Rajiv Gandhi said to implement the Indo-Lanka Pact signed by JR and Rajiv Gandhi JR should be in the presidency for one more term. JR was excited by Rajiv’s request. As soon as he came to Sri Lanka, he appointed a fact fact-finding committee to change the constitution for contesting the presidential election. But because of JVP terror, JR had to drop Rajiv’s request.
JR’s nephew Ranil recently visited India for the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Modi. He invited Modi to visit Sri Lanka. Ranil was planning to announce his presidential candidacy after Modi visited Sri Lanka. Sources close to Ranil say that he was about to announce his candidacy while Modi was in Sri Lanka. Ranil was thinking of marketing it as if he remembered Rajiv Gandhi’s request to JR. But Modi did not visit Sri Lanka. It is impossible to think that the Indian Prime Minister will visit Sri Lanka when an election has been announced.
On the other hand, this presidential election is a comfortable presidential election for India. It does not matter if Ranil wins, Sajith wins Anura wins or Namal wins in this presidential election. Because no matter who wins, India’s support is crucial for the president to get the country out of the economic crisis. On the other hand, India is friendly with all these candidates. When Modi became Prime Minister, Ranil, Mahinda and Sajith all congratulated Modi. Modi thanked them all.
In Sri Lankan presidential election history this is the most stress-free presidential election for India Because, in every other presidential election, India was very concerned about who would become the president of Sri Lanka
