• Namal says fmr. PC and LG reps. will also be prioritised for nominations
• Bars members who supported Wickremesinghe from contesting via SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) plans to prioritise former representatives of Provincial Councils (PC) and Local Government (LG) bodies, and ‘young’ candidates under 50 years of age, when granting nominations for this year’s Parliamentary Elections.

Speaking to the media, SLPP National Organiser and former SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa said: “We are planning to prioritise young candidates and former PC and LG bodies’ representatives when granting nominations for the Parliamentary Elections. In addition, the candidates who are below the age of 50 years will also be given special consideration.”

Rajapaksa also said that the SLPP would take steps to appoint district and electoral organisers in lieu of those who were removed from the organiser posts recently. “Youth leaders will be given priority in making these appointments either.”

The SLPP stated earlier that MPs representing the SLPP, who were supporting independent Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe in the Presidential Election which was concluded recently would not be allowed to contest in the upcoming Parliamentary Elections under the party’s banner. The party has already initiated disciplinary action against its members who were supporting Wickremesinghe, and removed some members from the positions they held within the party.

After the SLPP Politburo decided to field its own Presidential candidate rather than support Wickremesinghe, Rajapaksa was nominated as the party’s candidate. However, a significant number of SLPP members expressed their support for Wickremesinghe. These members later formed a separate political alliance, with the post of General Secretary being offered to former Minister and SLPP MP Dr. Ramesh Pathirana.