APD | Sri Lanka’s former Defence Secretary to contest for President

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Aug. 12 (APD) – Sri Lanka’s former Defence Secretary Goyabaya Rajapaksa, on Sunday announced that he will contest the next Presidential elections.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Presidential candidate of his party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Rajapaksa made the announcement at the SLPP convention in Colombo.

He said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the choice of the people as he played a crucial role in the war against the Tamil Tiger rebels.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa later made a grand entrance at the event and was greeted by SLPP members and others attending the convention.

Speaking at the event, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that he accepted the nomination to contest the polls and assured that he will guide the country in the right path.

He insisted that he will also not allow any foreign country to dictate to Sri Lanka.

Earlier, Mahinda Rajapaksa was formally appointed as the leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

SLPP Chairman, Professor G.L Peiris announced the appointed of Rajapaksa as the leader of the SLPP at the SLPP convention.

Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to contest for the post of Prime Minister at the next Parliament elections.

The Presidential election is due later this year and Parliament elections next year.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)