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SLPP nominates Namal Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate

07 Aug, 2024

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The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has nominated MP Namal Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate for the election next month.

SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam announced the nomination at the party headquarters in Battaramulla, Wednesday.

Earlier, businessman Dhammika Perera, who was to be the SLPP candidate, withdrew from the race citing personal reasons.

The SLPP was expected to meet on Wednesday and announce that Dhammika Perera will be contesting the election on 21st September.

However, Perera sent a letter at the last moment to the SLPP General Secretary saying he was not going to contest.

The SLPP later decided to put forward Namal Rajapaksa with the blessings of his father Mahinda Rajapaksa and uncle Basil Rajapaksa.

At 38-years-old Namal Rajapaksa will be the youngest candidate to contest the Presidential election in Sri Lanka.

The SLPP has already faced a major split with several key SLPP MPs extending support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the election.

Following the nomination of Namal Rajapaksa, the SLPP is expected to invite those who left to support Wickremesinghe to return to the party and work with Rajapaksa at the election. (Colombo Gazette)

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