After weeks of conflicting statements and rumours of infighting among members of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena told reporters that any discussion or decision over the party’s nominee will only be undertaken by former president and accused war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Speaking outside Rajapaksa’s residence where the party’s politburo meeting was held, Abeygunawardane clarified that the politburo had determined that party Rajapaksa would solely make the party’s candidate and the declaration of candidacy.

“The politburo decided to delegate the pertinent responsibilities to the party leader,” he noted. The MP said individual lawmakers will not present their personal views on the matter going forward. “At an opportune moment, leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will make the announcement regarding our presidential candidate as agreed on by the party and its politburo,” he said.

He added that many have been persistently inquiring about their presidential candidate however the announcement will only be made when they are fully prepared, and until such time any speculation is premature.

Abeygunawardane also rubbished reports of divisions within the party adding that the entire membership remains under the stewardship of Rajapaksa. “There is no division in the party despite the various claims,” he claimed. 

His remarks demonstrate the significant influence the Rajapaksa clan continues to wield within the party, which recently appointed Namal Rajapaksa as its National Organizer. He takes over the role from his uncle, Basil Rajapaksa.

With presidential elections slated to be held later this year Namal, Mahinda’s son, also took a jab at the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) which is leading the polls, claiming that the Marxist party was no different to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who lead the Tamil struggle for independence.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Buddhist monks who are the Mahanayakes of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, Namal Rajapaksa claimed that both the JVP and LTTE targeted the Buddhist clergy in acts of violence. Sri Lanka is due to hold presidential elections later this year, with the JVP's Anura Kumara Dissanayake currently leading the polls.