Political sources have confirmed that businessman Dhammika Perera will be the presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). Internal discussions are underway within the party regarding the leadership transition, with Dhammika Perera poised to become the new leader of the SLPP. This development comes after SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa announced in Kandy that a new leader would be taking over the party.
Previously, the National Organizer of the SLPP, Basil Rajapaksa, had indicated that his followers within the party would contest the upcoming presidential election. Dhammika Perera, who previously served as a National List Member of Parliament and Minister of Investment Promotion in the SLPP government, is now set to lead the party into the election.
Dhammika Perera’s entry into active politics gained attention when he challenged then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign from the post of Finance Minister during his tenure as the Minister of Investment Promotion. Despite his brief stint as Investment Promotion Minister, he has now stepped forward to support the party’s struggle and has been confirmed as the SLPP’s presidential candidate. Political speculations intensified after advertisements promoting the SLPP were aired during the Asia Cup cricket tournament, indicating the beginning of the election campaign.