SLPP to field Namal Rajapaksa for presidential polls

In a surprising move the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today officially announces its National Organiser MP Namal Rajapaksa as the party’s  Candidate. in the upcoming presidential polls.

The SLPP General Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam announced this morning at the party’s headquarters in Nelum Mawatha.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa, and several other party members had also attended the event.

Namala Rajapaksa had been tipped to be named as the SLPP’s presidential candidate after SLPP MP Dhammika Perera decided to withdraw from the race citing personal reasons. 

The business magnate had informed the party yesterday (6) that he will not contest the 2024 Presidential Election due to personal reasons.

The September 21 presidential election in Sri Lanka, the first since the 2022 people's uprising that ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, promises to be a fiercely contested four-way race. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe will face off against Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

Accordingly, Namal Rajapaksa , 38, could become the youngest candidate to contest Sri Lanka presidential polls.