Diplomat and Political Scientist Professor Dayan Jayatilleka said yesterday that even though Maithripala Sirisena emerged as the common candidate taking the government by surprise, President Mahinda Rajapaksa still holds an edge in the battle.

According to Jayatilleka, the incumbent President stands a strong chance to win the presslidential election of 2015; but a charismatic village-person such as Maithripala Sirisena emerging as the common candidate has certainly made the Presidential Election more competitive.

“Sirisena’s emergence has made the contest more competitive, but that does not necessarily mean that he would be able to defeat President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the election”, Jayatilleka said in an interview with BBC yesterday.

Meanwhile, Jayatilleka also asserted that the ruling party’s claims that the common candidate's political campaign is driven by a collective international force, are baseless; “in fact Sirisena’s appearance has actually pushed back the claims of so called international conspiracies” he added.

“When comparing to UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Sirisena has a greater chance of winning but the game is still going in favor of the incumbent President”, Jayatilleka said.

However, Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya a few days ago, senior Journalist Victor Ivan said that the tables have already been turned on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena will be able to achieve an ‘easy victory’.