• SLPP Gen. Secy denies reports that MR favours RW
• Namal claims RW trying to cause a rift in SLPP 

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna's (SLPP) politburo is scheduled to meet today (29) to take the final decision regarding whether or not to field an SLPP candidate for the Presidential Election to be held on 21 September.

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (28), SLPP General Secretary and Parliamentarian Sagara Kariyawasam said that the politburo would meet today. "We (SLPP) are yet to decide on a candidate for the Presidential Election. There are various rumours going around, but we will make the final decision at the politburo meeting."

The Daily Morning also asked him about media reports that quoted former President and SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa of having said that they would support incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe if the Party decides. Kariyawasam, in response, said: "It is not true. Such reports have been planted by certain SLPP members who are loyal to the President."

With the Presidential Election scheduled in September, opinions within the SLPP are divided. Some SLPP members have been expressing a willingness to support the SLPP-backed current President and United National Party Leader Wickremesinghe, while the others have expressed the view that the SLPP should field a separate candidate. There have been predictions that Government MP and businessman Dhammika Perera will be the SLPP's Presidential candidate.

MP Namal Rajapaksa, who was unanimously elected as the SLPP’s national organiser in March, last week disputed the claim that the majority of their parliamentary group backed Ranil Wickremesinghe’s candidature at the forthcoming Presidential Election. He accused Wickremesinghe of causing rifts within the SLPP and stated that some in the party did not wish to back the presidential candidacy.

Several leading political parties have already declared their Presidential candidates. Among them are; Wickremesinghe, Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led National People's Power Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In addition, incumbent Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Opposition MP, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka have also declared their candidacy for the Presidential Election.