Sri Lanka's Political Shake-Up: SLPP Declines Support for Wickremesinghe; New Candidates Emerge

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided not to back President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election, choosing instead to field its own candidate. This decision impacts Wickremesinghe's chances as he hoped for cross-party support. Other candidates, including Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe and ex-Army Chief Sarath Fonseka, have also entered the race.

In a significant political move, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) announced on Monday that it will not support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the September 21 presidential election. The SLPP's General Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam, confirmed that the party would instead field its own candidate.

The decision shifts the dynamics of the election, as Wickremesinghe had hoped for cross-party support to win. The move follows the SLPP's previous backing of Wickremesinghe when the country faced an economic crisis in 2022. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe resigned to contest the presidential election under a new front.

Sri Lanka's former Army chief, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, has also declared his candidacy, along with opposition leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The election, scheduled for September 21, is crucial for the country's economic reforms and stability post-2022 financial crisis.