Minister Bimal Ratnayake has welcomed the re-election of Brazil’s left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, saying the result demonstrates the power of ordinary people to overcome money, media influence, social media algorithms and racism.
In a social media post, Ratnayake said he had closely followed Brazil’s presidential election because of its potential impact on global politics.
He described the victory of the Workers’ Party candidate as a significant result for people-centred politics.
Ratnayake said the election had demonstrated that ordinary people have the strength to resist financial influence, powerful media organisations, algorithms, racism and what he described as harmful ideologies.
Referring to Lula’s background, the minister highlighted how the Brazilian leader began his working life as a labourer and lost a finger in an industrial accident at the age of 17.
He claimed that supporters of Lula’s far-right opponent had repeatedly mocked the Brazilian leader for having only nine fingers during the election campaign.
Ratnayake also drew comparisons with Sri Lanka’s 2024 presidential election, recalling what he described as similar insults directed at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the campaign and afterwards.
He described Lula as an ordinary man whose victory had demonstrated the strength of the Brazilian people.
The minister concluded his message by calling for greater commitment to people-centred politics.
Lula, 80, secured a fourth non-consecutive presidential term after defeating right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in Sunday’s runoff election, winning approximately 51.8% of the vote, according to Brazil’s electoral authorities.
