COLOMBO, July 30 – Minister of State for Defense Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon has sharply criticized the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Politburo’s decision to field a separate candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Thennakoon described the move as a misguided and selfish act driven by personal interests rather than the needs of the country.
In his remarks, Thennakoon equated the Politburo’s decision with a previous controversial move to mobilize citizens for a protest on May 9, 2022. He suggested that both decisions were made without proper consideration of public sentiment and party unity.
Despite the SLPP’s intention to field their own candidate, significant support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe has emerged from within the party. Several state ministers and the Anuradhapura District Power Board have pledged their backing for Wickremesinghe. This faction includes key figures who have openly opposed the SLPP’s decision.
The SLPP’s Political Committee meeting, held at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence, revealed deep divisions within the party. Out of 72 members, 61 supported presenting a new candidate from the party, while 11 opposed this move.
Following this internal conflict, a group of dissenting ministers and SLPP members met with President Wickremesinghe, where they decided to support him in the election. This group expressed their intention to rally behind Wickremesinghe despite the party’s official stance.
Additional discussions at the SLPP’s party headquarters, chaired by Namal Rajapaksa, aimed to address the internal conflict and strategize the party’s position. The turmoil within the SLPP underscores the party’s struggle to present a unified front as Sri Lanka approaches the presidential election, with significant implications for the country’s political landscape.
