2019 Sri Lankan Presidential Election Odds Show a Tight Contest Between Gota and Sajith

Gotabaya is the biggest favourite. Image source: Ministério da Defesa [CC BY 2.0] / Wikimedia Commons

Sri Lankans are heading to the polls on November 16 to elect their next president. The main fight is between UNP’s Sajith Premadasa and SLPP’s Gotabaya Rajapaksa. According to the 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election odds, Gotabaya is slightly closer to the throne thanks to the support of the majority Sinhalese.

Online gambling sites in Sri Lanka suggest the upcoming presidential election will be fierce one like the election of 2015. Issues such as national security, corruption allegations, and a polarized ethnic and religious environment are among the dominating themes. Sri Lankans feel that only two candidates might have a solution for such issues including UNP’s Sajith Premadasa and SLPP’s Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

As the 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election odds indicate, Gota and Sajith are not only in a tight contest, but they are also facing a challenge from the underdogs. JVP chief Anura Kumara Dissanayaka and the former army commander Mahesh Senanayake might determine the race. They probably do not have a chance to win, but they will likely deny Gota and Sajith to obtain above 50 percent of the votes.

Gota hopes to win with an appeal to the majority Sinhalese

The former defense minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa has recently launched his candidacy based on the national security platform. He is trying to capitalize on his successes during the long civil war that ended in 2009. Alongside the security, Gota has delivered many promises including eradicating corruption, uplifting the educational standards, and reducing taxes. He also promised to transform Sri Lanka into a commercial hub and generate a million jobs over five years.

Gota runs as the candidate of Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), with support from the incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena. He believes that he can win the presidency with 1.85 odds at 22BET Sportsbook, by appealing to the majority Sinhalese. However, he is unpopular in Tamil majority areas, over his handling of the civil war. He also might be hurt by the corruption scandals his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa got involved in during his presidency between 2005-2015.

Sri Lanka’s minorities to be the trump card for Sajith

The deputy leader of the ruling United National Party (UNP), Sajith Premadasa currently serves as the housing minister. He is the son of assassinated President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Unlike his father, Sajith grew up in a well-off family, and he studied at the LSE and the University of Maryland. 

UNP’s candidate is running on a national unity platform. He is trying to collect the support of the minorities who form 25 percent of the island’s population. As for now, Tamil leaders, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, and the Sri Lanka Makkal Congress have decided to back Sajith. The polls suggest Sajith is on Gota’s tail. Thus, anything can happen. Online sportsbook sites in Sri Lanka expect Sajith to win with 1.90 odds.

Great value offered for Dissanayaka and Senanayake

Two other candidates have a great value at 2019 Sri Lankan presidential election odds. Marxist Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) chief, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka stands at 3.00. Besides, the former army commander Mahesh Senanayake has 3.50 odds. Dissanayaka has been able to draw big crowds in his rallies. Many Sri Lankans believe he is the one to eradicate nepotism, corruption, and trigger economic growth. However, according to LBO, Dissanayake is likely to poll around 5 percent in the election.