Rebel leaders from the Sri Lanka People’s Front (SLPP), a party traditionally led by the influential Rajapaksa family, have announced their decision to form a new political party. This move is aimed at backing incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has declared himself as an independent candidate for the upcoming September 21 presidential election.
The announcement was made on Saturday by Mahindananda Aluthgamage, a former loyalist of the Rajapaksa family, during a political rally in Kandy, a central district of Sri Lanka. Aluthgamage revealed that preparations are underway for the formation of the new party, which is expected to offer substantial support to Wickremesinghe’s candidacy.
The SLPP, also known locally as Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, has been a dominant political force in Sri Lanka for over two decades, with the Rajapaksa family at its helm. However, over 100 SLPP MPs, out of the 145 elected in 2020, have now aligned themselves with Wickremesinghe, defying their party’s official candidate, Namal Rajapaksa. Namal, 38, is the Rajapaksa heir and the SLPP’s designated candidate for the presidency.
This realignment follows a period of significant turmoil in Sri Lanka. The SLPP had previously supported Wickremesinghe in July 2022 to complete the term of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was ousted after widespread protests over severe economic hardships. Sri Lanka declared its first-ever sovereign default in April 2022, exacerbating the country’s economic crisis.
Under Wickremesinghe’s leadership, the government has pursued major reforms, particularly in the power and energy sectors, with the support of the IMF. However, SLPP hardliners have criticized these economic reforms, particularly those involving the privatization of state-owned enterprises, a central aspect of the IMF bailout program aimed at reducing state revenue losses.
In response to the formation of the new party, the SLPP has issued a warning of disciplinary action against any party members who support candidates other than Namal Rajapaksa. The party’s leadership remains firm in its stance, reinforcing its commitment to its official candidate.
The upcoming presidential election will be a crucial test of Sri Lanka’s political dynamics and the influence of both the Rajapaksa family and the current independent presidential bid.