Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced he does not plan to retire from politics, stating that the Rajapaksa family is only temporarily stepping back. He remarked, “This is a temporary pause… A politician does not retire,” and expressed confidence that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will win the 2024 Parliamentary Election.
He noted that not all Rajapaksas are abstaining from the upcoming General Election, pointing out that Shashindra Rajapaksa will contest from Moneragala District. However, none of the prominent Rajapaksa brothers will participate in the November 14 elections. The candidate list for the SLPP revealed that Mahinda, Gotabaya, Chamal, and Basil Rajapaksa will not be running.
Additionally, Mahinda’s son, Namal Rajapaksa, who previously served as a Cabinet Minister, will not contest but is included on the party’s “national list” for potential extra seats based on vote share.
