June 20, 2018 (LBO) – Today, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa turned 69 years of age, roughly 3 months after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe turned 69 on March 24th.
The presidential hopefuls are on a collision course with each other at the next Presidential Election due before January 8, 2020. When both candidates formally go head to head they will each be 70 years of age.
In a world where youth and social media are both playing enhanced roles in politics, Sri Lanka’s election will likely be a choice between two of yesterdays leaders.
Despite both potential candidates being the same age, they represent two very different constituencies. One is a nationalist, the other a moderate. One is an experienced politician, the other a political outsider who has never held elected office.
Sri Lanka’s next presidential election is a major event that will drive the economy in the next 18 months. As the country moves closer to a crucial crossroad, which senior citizen the country will select is likely to become the most captivating subject in the nation.