Ashen Senarathna, a popular Sri Lankan YouTuber known for his viral videos on social issues and charitable initiatives, has announced his candidacy for the upcoming parliamentary election in Colombo. With a significant online following, Ashen’s content has resonated with many, positioning him as a potential new voice in politics.
His decision to run for office mirrors a growing trend of social media influencers transitioning into political roles. Ashen may be taking inspiration from Cypriot YouTuber Fidias Panayiotou, who was recently elected as an independent Member of the European Parliament. Fidias, despite having no previous political background, garnered 19.4% of the vote, making him one of the top three candidates. He gained fame with over 2.6 million subscribers through his viral stunts, including challenges like hugging 100 celebrities and spending a week in a coffin.
As Ashen embarks on his political journey, many will be closely observing whether he can achieve similar success in Sri Lanka’s political arena.