Mahinda Rajapakse: SLPP to Nominate Strong Candidate for Sri Lankan Presidency

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse announced on Friday that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will nominate a formidable candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election. Rajapakse stated that the current President, Ranil Wickreme singhe, has not yet sought the support of the SLPP for the forthcoming elections.

Why this matters: The SLPP's decision to nominate a strong candidate for the presidential election holds significant implications for the political landscape of Sri Lanka, potentially shaping the dynamics of the race and the future direction of the nation. The choice of candidate will also influence the country's relationships with regional and global powers, making it a crucial development to watch.

When asked about his son, Namal Rajapakse, running for the presidency, the former President advised Namal to "wait more" and exercise patience, emphasizing that the decision rests with the party. "No matter of whether he is young or middle-aged, but we will name a 'winning candidate' [for the presidential election]," Rajapakse asserted. He further added, "[I] don't anticipate Namal to be the presidential candidate, the decision rests with the party. He [Namal] should wait more."

The announcement comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the candidacy of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, who was recently announced as a presidential candidate by former President Maithripala Sirisena. In an interview with 'Anidda' newspaper, Rajapaksa expressed that the matter would be discussed at a party meeting, still casting doubt on his confirmed nomination by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The SLPP's decision to nominate a strongcandidatefor the presidential election holds significant implications for the political landscape of Sri Lanka. As the country gears up for the polls, the choice of the SLPP's nominee will undoubtedly shape the dynamics of the race and the future direction of the nation. With Mahinda Rajapakse's influential role within the party, his endorsement of a "winning candidate" is expected to carry considerable weight among supporters and political allies.

Key Takeaways

• SLPP to nominate a strong candidate for Sri Lanka's presidential election.
• Current President Ranil Wickremesinghe has not sought SLPP's support.
• Mahinda Rajapakse advises son Namal to "wait more" for presidential bid.
• Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa's candidacy still uncertain.
• SLPP's nominee will significantly impact Sri Lanka's political landscape.