Colombo, Aug 11 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka’s former defense secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was named as the main opposition’s presidential candidate, at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s party conference held in capital Colombo on Sunday evening,
Sri Lanka’s opposition leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was a party member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, took over the leadership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna at the party conference and later announced his brother, Gotabaya as the party’s presidential candidate.
“”Whether I choose or not, he has already become your brother. I hand over my brother to you,” Mahinda said to the packed audience who had gathered at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
“Gotabaya never asked me to make him the President. I named him to strengthen your hands, not to strengthen his. My first, second and third priorities are my country. It should be the same for you too, ‘Gota,” Mahinda said while welcoming his brother to take the stage.
Addressing the audience, Gotabaya said he would work for the benefit of Sri Lanka and he would not allow anyone to interfere with Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.
Sri Lanka will face a presidential election either in November or December.
The ruling United National Party is yet to announce its Presidential candidate with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, vowing to name his candidate by the end of the month.
