"SLPP Operates With Blessings Of Basil Rajapaksa", Namal Rajapaksa

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) continues to function with the blessings of former minister Basil Rajapaksa, according to SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa.

Responding to questions from journalists on Basil Rajapaksa’s future role in the party, Namal Rajapaksa said any decision regarding active political involvement rests solely with Basil Rajapaksa himself.

“Our party has his blessings. Beyond that, whether he engages in active politics or not is a decision that he has to make. That is not a decision I can make,” he said.

He further noted that senior members of the Rajapaksa family, including former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as well as former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, believe that leadership should now be transitioned to a younger generation.

“What President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Chamal Rajapaksa all believe is that politics must now be handed over to the next generation,” he added.

Namal Rajapaksa also said the SLPP is currently focusing on strengthening its grassroots structure by appointing new organizers and developing emerging leaders at village level, as part of its broader political restructuring.