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Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
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President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa
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In a significant blow to the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a group of party MPs have announced they would defy the party’s decision to field its own candidate and instead support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his bid for re-election.
Following a party politburo meeting, it was officially announced yesterday that the SLPP will break ties with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and field its own candidate in the upcoming election.
Speaking to the media SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam clai-med the majority of members agreed on fielding a candidate under the SLPP ticket and the lotus bud symbol. Consequently, the SLPP will withdraw its support for Wickremesinghe in the election.
Kariyawasam acknowledged that the party has been lenient with members attending rallies of other politicians but said it was agreed to take disciplinary action against such members if this behaviour continues.
“While some objected to the party’s decision, a majority accepted it. If any party member opposes this decision or contests the Presidential Election without the party’s approval, disciplinary action will be initiated against them,” MP Kariyawasam added. He said only a few members opposed the party’s stance.
Taking to X, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa said with the party’s decision to field their own candidate, they also acknowledge past challenges and commit to unity, economic stability, and restoring trust. “United, we will advance Sri Lanka with renewed purpose and strength,” he said.
Reports about the attendance at the politburo meeting were also conflicting. Some sources claim that 79 out of 82 SLPP members attended, with only 11 opposing the party’s decision to field its own candidate.
However, political commentators noted that the SLPP politburo is primarily composed of Namal Rajapaksa loyalists, while the SLPP Parliamentary group is not part of the politburo. According to these commentators, at least 80 MPs are currently extending their support to Wickremesinghe.
Meanwhile, despite Namal Rajapaksa’s claims of unity and threats of disciplinary action, a group of SLPP MPs announced their decision to continue their support of Wickremesinghe.
The announcement was made after the group consisting of MPs and Ministers convened at United National Party (UNP) MP Wajira Abeywardana’s election office in Flower Road last night. The meeting headed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe had SLPP stalwarts including Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse, Ministers Kanchana Wijesekara, Tiran Alles, Geetha Kumarasinghe, Anupa Pasqual, Dilum Amunugama, MPs Mahindananda Aluthgamage, S.B. Dissanayake, Premanatha C. Dolawatte and others in attendance.
Speaking to the media, Minister Anupa Pasqual said the group will remain in the SLPP but continue to support Wickremesinghe. “His victory is assured,” he said.
When asked by the media if his political career with the SLPP is nearing its end, Amunugama responded that it appeared so. However, he suggested that a majority of SLPP members support Wickremesinghe, while only a few have agreed to field a different candidate.
S.B. Dissanayake said the group has always believed Wickremesinghe is the best candidate for the Presidency. He insisted that all Ministers, except for a few State Ministers, have extended their support to Wickremesinghe, claiming that “90% of the MPs are with the President.”
Meanwhile, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said the group will continue to advocate for Wickremesinghe and attempt to gain SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa’s support for him. Wijesekara emphasised that they do not want the party to split, but if they cannot convince the leadership, the group will still support Wickremesinghe. He suggested there is an attempt to cause the party a massive defeat by fielding a different candidate.
