Casino mogul billionaire businessman Dhammika Perera will not be contesting the 2024 presidential election. Today, government -friendly social media reported.

A spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) stated that the official candidate would be nominated t the auspicious time of 7 AM tomorrow.

In the past week, around 58 former ministers and MPs from the SLPP have gone against the party's decision and joined the coalition forming around the United National Party (UNP) to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election.

Following their lead, many district powerhouses within the SLPP have decided to support President Wickremesinghe.

However, the party's stance has remained that an SLPP candidate must be nominated for the presidential election.

Amidst all these challenges, the party’s national organizer,. Namal Rajapaksa, and his group have firmly stated that they oppose the liberal governance in Sri Lanka under the current administration, which operates under the International Monetary Fund's guidelines.

They also oppose the privatization of around 54 state institutions, a policy that undermines the nationalistic concept built under Mahinda Chinthana. Hence, they cannot support Ranil Wickremesinghe.

This ideological disagreement between the SLPP and the President has become a political confrontation. Political analysts point out that a clear divide has once again formed between the SLPP and the UNP.

The SLPP, which garnered 6.9 million votes, is stepping forward in the presidential election, giving rural progressive people a chance to express their views.

Despite some members leaving the party, the spokesperson further stated that the SLPP intends to spread this presidential election campaign nationwide with the support of provincial, regional, and municipal council activists

lankainformation.lk