Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the main constituent party of the government likely to split into two factions following the news of thePresident Ranil Wickramasinghe’s intention to be the next Presidential candidate, internal sources revealed.
According to the sources, the president has hinted that he is ready to contest the next presidential election.
After these hints, the State for Investment Promotion, Dilum Amunugama said that SLPP would definitely support Ranil Wickremesinghe when he came forward as the presidential candidate.
However, General Secretary of SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam said that the most suitable candidate to contest for the presidential election from Podu Jana Peramuna is Basil Rajapaksa, the national organizer of that party.
Internal political sources say that the MPs holding various responsibilities of the government representing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna are loyal to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and another group of strongmen are loyal to Basil Rajapaksa.
Ranjith Bandara, a member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna who was loyal to Basil Rajapaksa, said that a new leadership would join the party after this festive season.
At the moment, the leadership of the Public Front is former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
