Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Rajapakshe Quits to Contest Presidential Election

Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe has resigned to compete in the presidential election set for September 21. He is the second cabinet member to declare candidacy after President Ranil Wickremesinghe did last Friday. Rajapakshe is backed by former president Maithripala Sirisena amidst legal disputes within the Freedom Party.

Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe announced his resignation on Monday to run for the presidential election on September 21.

Rajapakshe, 65, is now the second cabinet member to announce his candidacy, following President Ranil Wickremesinghe's declaration last Friday.

"I have resigned from my ministry to contest the election. I will be doing so under a new front which will be announced soon," Rajapakshe stated.

He highlighted that issues emerged once he and the President declared their intentions to run, particularly over two Cabinet members running for the presidency from different parties. After consulting with the President, he decided to step down from his ministerial duties to pursue the election.

Rajapakshe emphasized his leadership will focus on development and resolving sectoral issues.

The National Election Commission is expected to act according to the Constitution for the upcoming elections, Rajapakshe asserted.

He has the backing of former president Maithripala Sirisena, who recently faced legal disputes within the Freedom Party, exacerbating tensions within the party.

Sirisena, sidelined by a court writ, appointed Rajapakshe as SLFP leader, a move contested by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva's faction, which claims Rajapakshe's membership is invalid.

Nevertheless, Rajapakshe maintains that 90 percent of SLFP supports him.

President Wickremesinghe plans to run as an independent in the presidential poll, which will be Sri Lanka's first election since its economic crisis in 2022.

The race includes other notable candidates: Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

(With inputs from agencies.)