Namal Rajapaksa enters presidential race after Dhammika Perera pulls out

7 August 2024 08:48 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 62 Bookmark

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Dhammika Perera has informed some of the SLPP members that his mother has fallen ill which is why he could not contest the race
Namal’s candidacy is to be formally announced this morning
He is to start his campaign immediately

Colombo, August 8 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer, Namal Rajapaksa will be named as the party’s Presidential candidate today morning following the convening of the SLPP politburo meeting, a senior source from the SLPP told Daily Mirror last evening. SLPP Founder Basil Rajapaksa confirmedto Daily Mirror that Namal will be named as the SLPP’S Presidential candidate today morning at 9 a.m. and his campaign will start immediately.

Political mayhem erupted in the SLPP camp yesterday when casino kingpin Dhammika Perera pulledout of being named as the party’s Presidential candidate at the last minute following rumours that he had been pressured to do so and was likely to join President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

In a letter sent to the General Secretary of the SLPP, Dhammika Perera said that he pulled out for personal reasons. However, the Daily Mirror learns that Dhammika Perera has informed some of the SLPP members that his mother has fallen ill which is why he could not contest the race.

The stage was all set to announce Dhammika as the Presidential candidate at 9 a.m. today morning but plans suddenly changed prompting the party to go ahead with naming Namal Rajapaksa as the SLPP candidate.

Namal himself rushed to Anuradhapura yesterday to seek blessings and will now be elected and named as the Presidential candidate.

For months Dhammika Perera had been requesting the party to name him as the Presidential candidate considering his business knowledge and financial strength. The party higher up had agreed toname him considering that Dhammika could capture the youth’s support following his knowledge on the economy and his possibility of creating job opportunities.

However, following a last minute u-turn, the next possible candidate, Namal Rajapaksa was immediately pulled in to join the race and will officially contest for the presidency on September 21.

Namal was one of the members who had voted against supporting Ranil Wickremesinghe at the September 21 Presidential Election and said the SLPP would instead field its own candidate.

He had remained steadfast that the Pohotuwa would have its own symbol on the ballot paper and accused President Wickremesinghe for bypassing the SLPP Leadership and approaching the MPS direct to gain support.

Comments - 62

Sobers Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:04 AM

You will loose very badly.

2 59

Mythiripala HD Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:21 AM

Sorry Namal you will lose very badly.

0 46

Saman Siriananda - Astrologer from Hambantota Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:12 AM

So better he packs his bags now itself to run away with his father and Uncles to Uganda. He has enough money in USD for his ten generation.

0 41

Gamini Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:05 AM

Namal for President the height if idiocrasy and bankruptcy of the family political party. It emancipation time for the Pohottuwa following.

0 47

joshua Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:05 AM

Rather than saying that the campaign will start immediately, it should read as "looting will start immediately"

3 50

Fact Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:06 AM

Presidential system was once thought would provide stability. However, this election is a test to this theory. Let's see.

0 34

Purnaka Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:08 AM

The world stage is a bigger place that NR, SP and AKD could play in. The only player with the needed maturity to lead in these uncertain times from among the declared candidates seems to be RW. DP did not measure up either.

17 38

Toiyya Wednesday, 07 August 2024 11:53 AM

If RW retains power, NR will join a coalition with UNP and become prime minister. That's the plan. So all you fools planing to vote for RW, get your head out of your butt.

10 14

Mental Case Wednesday, 07 August 2024 02:44 PM

@ Tonya - looks like you are the one who is sitting on your brain ...If you have any.

6 6

Living on borrowing is way of life in SL Wednesday, 07 August 2024 07:13 PM

Frankly, it's sadning to not that intellect had deserted the SLn people. For all the showring of praise, SLns don't realise the whatever RW achieved in the last 2 years was only through borrowing; more borrowing. Nothing new from what had been happening since independence. SLns are very happy, comfortable and contended with living on borrowing; exactly what the government does. Unless SLns get out of this mindset SL will never develop. They will endup like Singapore before 1965 ie., there was no Singapore. When that happens the same people who praise him now will curse and chase away RW. Haven't we seen it not too long ago??

2 3

Hiran Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:10 AM

Dhammika Perera is a wise man! Now No-Mal will fall into the same trap set for Dhammika.

2 31

H.M.K. Fernando (Attorney-at-Law) Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:25 AM

True at least he would have got some votes, but Namal will face the same treatment what Ranil got last time.

0 28

Keerthi Amarasinghe [Attorney-at-Law] Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:03 AM

Worse than Ranil as at least RW is professionally qualified, but Namal does not even the basic GCE OL, and he sat LLB someone wrote the exam for him for the payment of 17 million by his father. People are not fools to elect a good for nothing fellow as President.

1 37

Mursh Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:10 AM

All the very best on your future, Drive Sri lanka Forward fish you all the success, be Huble and Mindfull.

45 2

slcitizen Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:11 AM

Fate of Ranil.. now sealed..

14 5

Tilak Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:20 AM

This fake lawyer and the looting family thinks the people are fools

1 43

NP Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:21 AM

I'd like to know who believes this one, so I can finally prove my theory that the functional brain is not necessary.

1 21

wathsi Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:21 AM

Best wishes! May he be a strong leader like his illustrious farther Mahinda Rajapakshe, one day!

61 1

Damith Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:22 AM

The highest court in the country had declared the looter Rajapakse family responsible for the economic failure of SL and this fake lawyer has the audacity to contest for Presidential election

0 38

Vijtith Pieterz Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:23 AM

Even the mighty Dammika was scared to contest how come just a mushroom Namal will win. It's a joke.

0 34

N.M. Perera Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:35 AM

Ploy to deceive the Voter. Show a rift between RW and Rajapaksha's. People are now wise !!. Two Sides of One Coin.

7 27

Jk Wednesday, 07 August 2024 02:53 PM

Ha,ha,ha. Same coin will choose the winner

1 3

Boru Na... Atha .... Atha.... Atha..... (100%) Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:35 AM

Sirisena was the President being a Grama Sevaka (doubt whether he had got through Grade 8), now another fool Namal is going to contest for the Presidential election without even GCE (O/L). What's going on in SriLanka?

0 31

LoL M.A. Mendis - [Attorney-at-Law] Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:38 AM

Well done Ranil now you have achieved your target breaking SLPP into so many pieces. When Namal contest another fifteen will cross-over to your boat soon.

0 22

J.M. Appusingho Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:39 AM

Don't worry Namal, your ex-girlfriends (whom you cheated) from villages will vote for you, that's all.

2 24

Kamal Bolawansa - (Brother of Wimal who knows about Namal well) Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:14 AM

Why not Namal's children (More than 200 all over SriLanka) are there to vote for him.

1 23

Skantha Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:40 AM

I have watched and listened his speeches. He is a more inclusive person. Unlike his father and uncles, he will treat all the races equally. Please give him a chance

46 6

Tom Wednesday, 07 August 2024 03:01 PM

How many cases of financial irregularities, bribery Cases pending against him?

1 4

Prof. K. Mahalingam Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:43 AM

Ranil now another ten rouges from Potuwa will join you soon after the breaking news that Namal is going to contest. Congratulations to you Ranil.

1 14

This is reality Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:55 AM

If you can beat Ranil Uncle to third place, then you will have achieved something. Other than that, the experience you gain might benefit you 30 years henceforth.

6 6

Volker Metzger Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:59 AM

Namal as presidential candidate is the "joke of Sri Lankan history" !!! I thought the absurdities in the current election period could not be topped !!! That was a false conclusion, Sri Lanka's politics can top even the most absurd !!! With Namal, a modestly-minded representative of the old corrupt ruling dynasty, the old "dark men" are reappearing in the political arena, as brazen as we know them !!! Since this type of politician is incapable of learning, the only hope that remains is that the voters have learned from it, drawn the right conclusions from the Rajapaksa/Wickremesinghe era and will destroy them with the ballot paper !!! On September 21st the country has the historically unique opportunity to radically change the political landscape, and with it the social structures too! But where are the "strong" men who can do that!??? Namal is definitely not one of them!!!

3 14

G.M. Sunil Gamage - Industrialist Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:05 AM

Mahinda

13 1

Dr. Kumudesh Dissanayake [Former Family Doctor of Rajapakshes Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:21 AM

Namal the best option is withdraw from your plans and join with Ranil work as a Peon in his office and learn Politics from him. No other alternative.

1 15

Practical Citizen Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:26 AM

Namal is the youngest politician with energetic blood. Although AKD says he is young, the policy he followed too old. It is better to vote for Namal than to vote for Beedi and Ganja seller in trains during the childhood.

19 0

Aruna Munaweera - Neutral SriLankan Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:31 AM

Mahinda actually speaking Udayanga only spoilt the soup. Latest news, Dhammika is going to fund Ranil's campaign. Your son Namal will get around 100-200 votes only from every region.

0 3

Mohamed Adham Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:32 AM

Looking more like a Drama set up by mynah. Dont be fooled by these #Baiyya drama stories .

1 3

Lanka Shantha Wednesday, 07 August 2024 10:36 AM

Dammika pulls or kicked out.

0 3

Gamini Wednesday, 07 August 2024 11:06 AM

Good-start your career by making a historic loss

0 5

sam Wednesday, 07 August 2024 11:24 AM

Namal baby, one horse race

0 2

Don Don Wednesday, 07 August 2024 11:26 AM

rathtarang amma said to support RW, Dhammika amma said dont I am going to fall sick...did Namal's amma say to contest the loosing election hora gediya

0 4

Joe Wednesday, 07 August 2024 11:42 AM

Great opportunity for the Lankan public to hand him the worst resusts any candidate has ever achieved to show how disliked he is and his family.

0 10

Dharmatileke Wednesday, 07 August 2024 11:44 AM

Get on to the stage and say vote for Sajith, done

3 2

Citizen Wednesday, 07 August 2024 11:53 AM

He is very very immatured for this top job as everyone knows.May be he can get prefeferential vote and back some one ?? But this is absolutelycrazy.

0 7

LankanLover Wednesday, 07 August 2024 12:32 PM

Namal's confidence is hilarious

0 6

Ron Wednesday, 07 August 2024 12:34 PM

Given all circumstances Namal can go all the way MR is a key factor.....peoples man

8 1

DOT Wednesday, 07 August 2024 12:37 PM

Who is the winner ? Dhammika OR Namal; Dhammika's adds were on tv (yesterday ).

0 1

Ama Wednesday, 07 August 2024 12:42 PM

Never ever get these babies are your rulers!

0 2

sunil Wednesday, 07 August 2024 12:55 PM

Is this nation so unfortunate that fake lawyers have to decide our destiny

0 7

Ceylonese Wednesday, 07 August 2024 12:58 PM

whole SLPP is backing Ranil, it's a game they play nominating different candidates to play with people's mind. Even Namal will pull out, and finally the sick Alibaba will inform that his supporters should back Ranil, until then the game will go on.

7 9

Vadivelu Yogararnam Wednesday, 07 August 2024 01:10 PM

Father to son country's economic demolition team left in bankruptcy good luck long live great Lanka with the demolition team.

0 6

Hopeful Citizen Wednesday, 07 August 2024 01:10 PM

The much talked about auspicious time today Wednesday is fast receding. Is Namal baby also receding (backwards) towards Uncle Ranil??

0 3

VJ Wednesday, 07 August 2024 01:57 PM

I hope NR wins the presidency. In 75 years our people haven’t learned anything. If he is elected and allowed to put the final nail on the coffin, the people of this country will be happy. His dad can depart peacefully. In the event he doesn’t win, he could migrate to any country with the money he has, he will be able buy immigration visas.

0 6

Dee Wednesday, 07 August 2024 03:45 PM

Now what happens to the term ‘Ranil Rajapakse’? The foolish armchair critics need to come up with another term for RW!

2 1

NAME CHANGE Wednesday, 07 August 2024 05:01 PM

FOXY WICKREMASINGHE

1 1

Fools - election results will speak Wednesday, 07 August 2024 07:39 PM

I see so many comments saying "people are not fools", "people are now wise", "voters have now learnt" and so on. The elections results after September 21st will speak for itself. Certain traits are inbuilt; could not be easily improved especially with the beliefs, mindsets and values the society possess.

0 2

ROHINI Wednesday, 07 August 2024 07:43 PM

Namal needs Psychiatric evaluation' One should find the most qualified psychiatrist with sub - specialisation in MEGALOMANIACS. Back off Namal, before a forced admittance into a psychiatric facility.

0 7

Sambo Thursday, 08 August 2024 07:28 AM

The MR family has fallen to such a bad situation that they had to pawn Namal to save their shame. Remember what goes around comes around.

0 5

Sambo Thursday, 08 August 2024 07:28 AM

The MR family has fallen to such a bad situation that they had to pawn Namal to save their shame. Remember what goes around comes around.

0 3

George Thursday, 08 August 2024 09:34 PM

Hope MR family reads these comments and see to themselves how the masses hate them. The MR family is living in a fantasy world assuming their family will rule this country. The MR era will be best forgotten after the next parliamentary election. The decay will start following the Presidential elections.

0 3

melville perera Friday, 09 August 2024 12:06 PM

if Namal's selection has been found suitable by the party, rumours are afloat that Veddha Chief Wanilla Aththo is getting ready to enter the race with pick axe as his symbol - how appropriate!!!

0 0

Dire Straits Friday, 09 August 2024 08:39 PM

Don't miss the other important point; that Dhammika`s lame excuse given to step back is not because of a personal issue!? Its because most of his wealth is backed by illicit money of his masters who are the family of NR. Dhammika like Puymi H is not smart nor clean as he portrays - He is a good Casino boss but that is his limit.

0 1

A Supporter of SLPP Saturday, 10 August 2024 05:50 AM

Mr. Namal Rajapksa has a very good chance of winning this election. We need young leaders. Go ahead Namal and contest and become the President.

0 0

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