According to a statement from the President's Media Unit no arrangements have been made to name a Prime Ministerial candidate from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) thus far.
The statement quoted President Maithripala Sirisena as saying that he had not found any of the applicants for an SLFP ticket suitable to be declared the Prime Ministerial candidate and mentions the former President.
The SLFP Chairman was quoted by media as saying that Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been declared or accepted as the Prime Ministerial candidate thus far.
The statement said that following the elections, the choice will be made after consulting the MPs elected on the SLFP ticket and the ticket of the larger alliance, the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
Against this backdrop there is speculations that the President may opt to contest separately, probably from the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna. Staunch Rajapaksa supporters allege that former President has no option now but to contest separately.
The former President is to announce his decision today, at 10.30 am, from Medamulana.
Captured below are scenes from Hambanthota ahead of Rajapaksa's announcement
A Thai woman walking topless in Arugam Bay town has been arrested by the Police.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
Cabinet has approved the appointment of Commodore (retired) M.B.N.A. Premaratne of the Sri Lanka Navy, as the new Commissioner General of Excise.
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