Namal Rajapaksa Named SLPP Presidential Candidate

Namal Rajapaksa, 38, has been named the presidential candidate for Sri Lanka's ruling party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), for the upcoming September 21 elections. This marks the first national vote since the country's severe economic crisis in 2022, which led to the ousting of his uncle, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The SLPP's decision to field Namal came after their initial candidate, Dhammika Perera, withdrew for personal reasons. Namal's candidacy signifies a bid by the Rajapaksa family to reclaim political power amid internal party splits and opposition from incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The election will be a four-way contest including main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The SLPP has vowed disciplinary actions against MPs supporting Wickremesinghe, highlighting the party's internal tensions.