Mahinda Rajapaksa to stand in August poll

01/July/2015

 

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that he intends to re-enter politics and stand in parliamentary elections next month.

Mr Rajapaksa lost bitterly fought presidential elections to party rival Maithripala Sirisena in January.

Speaking in front of a large crowd of supporters in his home district, Mr Rajapaksa said he could not reject their clamour for him to stand.

But it is not clear which party the former president will represent.

Mr Sirisena, the new leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which Mr Rajapaksa led for 10 years prior to his downfall, has ruled out appointing him as candidate.