Entrepreneur Dhammika Perera has turned down the presidential candidacy of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), just hours before the party was due to announce the candidate.

In a letter addressed to SLPP General Secretary – Sagara Kariyawasam, Perera has said that  he was pulling out due to a personal reason.

Namal or Dinesh?

In a statement issued earlier today (Aug. 06), the SLPP had said that the function to announce their presidential candidate will be held at the party HQ at 7.00am tomorrow, under the patronage of party leader – Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, ‘The Leader’ website has reported that prime minister Dinesh Gunawardena has been requested by the party hierarchy to accept the candidacy.

Quoting sources at the PM’s office, the website further says that Gunawardena has reportedly turned down the offer.

However, the ‘Daily Mirror’ has quoted SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa as confirming that Namal Rajapaksa would be announced as the SLPP presidential candidate. 

Earlier today, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena had also announced to Parliament that MP Namal Rajapaksa has resigned from his position as Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations.