evidence: Several months ago, I forecast that the most likely election scenario in 2024 was a Presidential stand-off between Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the JVP/NPP, and Ranil Wickremesinghe leading a UNP consensus group. The latter view was based on the assumption that Sajith Premadasa, the SJB and sundry pro-UNP factions would in the end all rally round a consensus group mobilised around RW. They would have to promise Sajith the position of Prime Minister and nomination for the Presidency next time. I continue to hold that this forecast is valid. Media reports in the last fortnight suggest that a consensus grouping is indeed consolidating behind RW as the only feasible way to retard enthusiasm gathering among young people and underprivileged social classes who support Anura. Indeed, there are numerous schemes and diversions in play at the moment on the RW-UNP-Sajith axis. It seems that the ‘Economic Council ‘of the SJB has challenged the ‘Economic Council’ of the NPP for an exchange of views on how each side plans to overcome sovereign default. A GL Peiris-led splinter group of the SLPP has signed an MOU with the SJB about forming an alliance for the upcoming elections. RW has directed ITN to live telecast Sajith–AKD debate! What’s in it for him? There are many irons in the fire and many distractions at play in this year of upcoming elections.