SLPP Initially Prepared Dhammika Perera as 2024 Presidential Candidate - Sagara

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had initially prepared prominent businessman Dhammika Perera as its candidate for the 2024 Presidential Election, stated the party's General Secretary, Mr. Sagara Kariyawasam.

Speaking during a television discussion held on December 18, Mr. Kariyawasam mentioned that although the Podujana Peramuna had made all arrangements to name Mr. Dhammika Perera as the candidate, he rejected the proposal at the last moment.

According to Mr. Kariyawasam, Mr. Dhammika Perera had previously agreed to contest the election, and all arrangements, including official ceremonies and discussions with coalition parties, had been made according to his wishes and schedule. "We had fully prepared Mr. Dhammika Perera as the party's presidential candidate for 2024. He had agreed and was ready to contest. All arrangements were made according to his requirements and auspicious timings," Mr. Kariyawasam further stated.

He further added that the party initially had no intention of fielding Mr. Namal Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate. Mr. Kariyawasam stated that Mr. Dhammika Perera informed party leaders of his decision to withdraw his candidacy only two or three days before nominations were due, by which time an official ceremony to announce his candidacy had even been planned.

Subsequently, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna nominated Mr. Namal Rajapaksa as its candidate for the 2024 Presidential Election. In the 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election, Mr. Namal Rajapaksa received a very small percentage of votes compared to the leading candidates. According to election data, Mr. Rajapaksa secured approximately 2.78% of the total votes.