The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had initially planned to field prominent entreprenuer Dhammika Perera as its presidential candidate at the 2024 election, but the plan collapsed after he withdrew just days before nominations, General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.
Speaking in a televised interview, Kariyawasam said the SLPP had completed all preparations to nominate Perera and that the businessman had agreed to contest the election before reversing his decision at the last moment.
“We had fully prepared Dhammika Perera as the party’s presidential candidate for 2024. He had agreed and was ready to contest. All arrangements were made based on his requirements and auspicious timings,” Kariyawasam said.
According to him, preparations included scheduling official ceremonies and consultations with allied parties in line with Perera’s preferences.
Kariyawasam said the party had not initially intended to nominate Namal Rajapaksa as its candidate.
Perera informed party leaders of his decision to withdraw two to three days before nominations were due, Kariyawasam said, at a time when an official event to announce his candidacy had already been planned.
Following Perera’s withdrawal, the SLPP named Namal Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate.
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