After 88 years, no members of the Rajapaksa family will be running in the Hambantota district for the 2024 general election. The Rajapaksa family, which produced two Presidents—Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa—has long been involved in politics from Hambantota.
Although Namal Rajapaksa planned to contest for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in Hambantota, he changed his mind at the last minute. Instead, the SLPP candidate group for Hambantota will be led by former Minister of State for Electricity, D.V. Chanaka.
Namal Rajapaksa, who was a Member of Parliament for Hambantota, will not contest from any district in this election. He has been nominated as a national list candidate for the SLPP.
Since 1936, starting with D.M. Rajapaksa, members of the Rajapaksa family have contested elections in Hambantota. This includes D.A. Rajapaksa, Lakshman Rajapaksa, George Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Chamal Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, Nirupama Rajapaksa, and Shyamalal Rajapaksa.
