2024 Sri Lankan presidential election explained

Election Name:2024 Sri Lankan presidential election
Country:Sri Lanka
Type:presidential
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2022 Sri Lankan presidential election
Previous Year:2022
Election Date:21 September 2024
Next Election:2029 Sri Lankan presidential election
Next Year:2029
Image1:Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on September 15, 2015 (1).jpg
Candidate1:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Party1:Independent
Candidate2:Sajith Premadasa
Party2:Samagi Jana Balawegaya
Image4:Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.jpg
Candidate4:Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Party4:National People's Power
Image5:Lakshman Namal Rajapaksa.jpg
Candidate5:Namal Rajapaksa
Party5:Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
Vote Type:Public
Time Zone:GMT +5.30
President
Before Election:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Before Party:United National Party

Presidential elections will be held in Sri Lanka on 21 September 2024.[1] [2] Voters will elect a president for a 5-year term. Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe is running for re-election as an independent candidate.[3] [4] This would make him the first incumbent president to run for re-election since Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015. Other candidates include Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Mahinda Rajapaksa's son Namal Rajapaksa.

Background

The last direct presidential elections held in Sri Lanka were in 2019, where SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the election in a landslide victory, defeating his main opponent Sajith Premadasa.[5] [6] Rajapaksa would eventually resign on 14 July 2022 amidst the 2022 Sri Lankan protests.[7] This triggered an indirect presidential election via Parliament a week later, to elect a successor according to the Article 40 of the Constitution.[8] Then-incumbent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was appointed by Rajapaksa just two months earlier, received the most votes and was sworn in as the 9th President of Sri Lanka on 21 July 2022.[9] [10]

Article 40 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka states that "Any person so succeeding to the office of President shall hold office only for the unexpired period of the term of office of the President vacating office."[11] President Wickremesinghe's term is due to expire on 17 November 2024.[12]

Discussion of the 2024 election has been a major topic since the beginning of 2024 and the Election Commission stated that the election must be held between 17 September and 16 October as required by the Constitution. On 26 July, the Election Commission issued a Gazette notification declaring that the election will be held on 21 September 2024, while nominations for candidates will be accepted by 15 August. The commission chose to hold the election on a Saturday, saying that it wanted to ensure high voter turnout. The same day, Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his candidacy for president for a second term, as an independent candidate.

Sri Lankan recent election results
Dates of electionsSri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
(SLPFA)		Samagi Jana BalawegayaNational People's PowerTamil National AllianceUnited National PartyOthers
Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%
2019 presidential election6,924,25552.25%－－418,5533.16%－－5,564,23941.99%345,4522.35%
2020 parliamentary election6,853,69059.09%2,771,98023.90%445,9583.84%327,1682.82%249,4352.15%950,6988.20%

Electoral system

The President of Sri Lanka is elected via limited ranked voting. Voters can express up to three ranked preferences for President. If no candidate receives over 50% of valid votes on the first count, all candidates except for the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes are eliminated. The second and third preferences of the eliminated candidates are distributed until one of the remaining two candidates receives an outright majority.[13] In practice, this system has seen little use, as each direct election going back to the first in 1981 has resulted in a candidate from one of the two major parties or alliances at the time winning in the first count. For this reason, many citizens opt to mark only one candidate, and many are wholly unaware that multiple candidates can be ranked at all.[14]

Candidates

The Election Commission accepted a total of 39 applications in the presidential election by the end of candidate registration on 15 August, the most for a presidential election in Sri Lanka.[15] Despite the record number of candidates, none were female.[16] [17]

Major candidates

CandidatePolitical office and constituencyEndorsementsNotes

Ranil Wickremesinghe
Independent		Current President of Sri Lanka (since 2022)
Leader of the United National Party (since 1994)
Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (1993–1994, 2001–2004, 2015–2018, 2018-2019, 2022)
  • Declared 26 July 2024
  • Previously ran in 1999 and 2005.
[23]

Sajith Premadasa
Samagi Jana Balawegaya		Current Leader of the Opposition (since 2019)
Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (since 2020)
Colombo		 [33]

Anura Kumara Dissanayake
National People's Power		Former Minister and Chief Opposition Whip (2015–2018)
Leader of the National People's Power (since 2015)
Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (since 2014)
Colombo
  • Declared 29 August 2023
  • Previously ran in 2019.
[34]

Field Marshal
Sarath Fonseka
Independent		5th Chief of the Defence Staff (2009)
Former Minister of Regional Development (2016–2018), Minister of Wildlife and Sustainable Development (2018)
18th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army (2005–2009)
Gampaha
  • Declared 25 July 2024
  • Previously ran in 2010.
[35]

Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe
National Democratic Front		Former Minister of Justice (2022–2024)
Former Minister of Buddha Sasana (2015–2017), Minister of Higher Education (2018), Minister of Education (2018)
Colombo
  • Declared on 25 July 2024
[36]

Namal Rajapaksa
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna		Former Minister of Youth and Sports (2020–2022)
Hambantota		 [37]

Minor candidates

There are 33 other candidates running in the election in addition to the above six.[38] [39]

Candidate Party Symbol[40] Notes
Independent Tyre Former JVP/UPFA MP for Gampaha.[41] Presidential candidate in 2019.
Independent Horseshoe
Independent Conch shell Former ITAK/TNA MP for Batticaloa.[42] Endorsed by the EPRLF, PLOTE, TELO, Tamil National Party and TMK.[43]
Independent Table fan
National Development Front Coconut Academic at the University of Peradeniya.[44]
Socialist People's Forum Umbrella Aragalaya activist.[45] Endorsed by the FSP and New Democratic Marxist–Leninist Party.[46]
Independent Blackboard Former JHU/UPFA MP for Colombo.[47]
Balloon
New Independent Front Till Leader of New Independent Front.[48] Former UNP candidate in Colombo.[49]
Independent Syringe
Two leaves
Independent Jackfruit Former UNP/UNFGG MP for Polonnaruwa.[50]
Tri-shaw Presidential candidate in 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2019.
Star Leader of Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya.[51] Endorsed by the Sarvajana Balaya.[52]
Independent Football Former Deputy Minister. Former SLFP/PA MP for Gampaha.[53] Presidential candidate in 2019.
Arunalu People's Front Water tap
Independent Medal Former Cabinet Minister. Former UNP/UNF MP for Hambantota.[54]
Kangaroo Presidential candidate in 2010, 2015 and 2019.
Bow and arrow Presidential candidate in 2010, 2015 (endorsed Mahinda Rajapaksa) and 2019.[55]
Independent Motorbike Former SLFP/UPFA MP for Puttalam.[56]
Independent Calculator Former UNP/UNFGG MP for Nuwara Eliya.[57]
Independent Pair of spectacles Former JVP/UPFA MP for Matara.[58]
Samabima Party Envelope Not to be confused with SLPP candidate Namal Rajapaksa nor the part of the Rajapaksa family.
Independent Cricket bat Former Cabinet Minister. SLPP/SLPFA MP for Polonnaruwa.[59]
United Lanka People's Party Cup Former chairman of the PUCSL.[60]
People's Welfare Front Tractor Presidential candidate in 2010, 2015 and 2019.
United National Freedom Front Comb of plantains
Eagle
Independent Bird feather Former NUW/UNFGG MP for Nuwara Eliya.[61]
Our People's Power Party Flag
Table
Pair of scissors Presidential candidate in 2015 and 2019.
Ruhunu People's Party Pineapple Former SLFP/PA National List MP.[62] Presidential candidate in 2019 (endorsed Sajith Premadasa).[63]

One of the main reasons for the proliferation of candidates is the low level of the election deposits required to contest (Rs. 50,000 / US$170 for party candidates or Rs. 75,000 / US$250 for independent candidates), amounts which have not changed since the introduction of presidential elections in 1982.[64] [65] Many of the minor candidates are proxy or dummy candidates put up by the main candidates to obtain the maximum benefits of being a candidate, such as two agents at every polling stations, assigning counting agents, free slots on state television and general media coverage.[66] [67] [68]

Declined

The following candidates previously stated their intentions to run before later withdrawing from the race.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna
Sri Lanka Freedom Party

Opinion polls

Nationwide

DatePolling firmDissanayake
NPP		Premadasa
SJB		Wickremesinghe
UNP		Rajapaksa
SLPP		OthersLeadMargin
of error		Sample
size<		--! rowspan="2" Undecided/
Non-voters-->
data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number" data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number"data-sort-type="number" style="background:;" data-sort-type="number"
Institute for Health Policy30%43%20%7%13±1–11%18,213
Institute for Health Policy39%38%15%7%1±1–4%17,751
numbers.lk46%22%18%14%24±3.5%2,048
Institute for Health Policy39%39%13%9%Tie±1–4%17,134
Institute for Health Policy44%41%8%7%3±1–4%16,661
Institute for Health Policy53%34%6%7%19±1–4%16,234
Institute for Health Policy50%36%7%7%14±1–4%15,590
Institute for Health Policy50%33%9%8%17±1–4%14,941
Institute for Health Policy51%30%13%6%21±1–4%13,935
Institute for Health Policy46%29%17%8%17±1–3%13,431
Institute for Health Policy38%35%18%9%3±1–3%12,848
Institute for Health Policy39%33%19%9%6±1–3%12,269
Institute for Health Policy40%35%15%9%5±1–3%11,926
Institute for Health Policy38%34%18%10%4±1–4%11,897
Institute for Health Policy45%37%13%6%8±1–4%11,367
Institute for Health Policy48%37%11%4%11±1–5%10,601

Favourability ratings

January 2024

In IHP SLOTS polling, all major party candidates continued to have negative favourability ratings. The net favourability rating of NPP/JVP candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayaka increased by 12 points to -10 whilst the favourability ratings of SJB candidate Sajith Premadasa and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe each decreased by 9 points to -53 and -77 respectively.[74]

March 2024

In IHP SLOTS polling, net favourability rating of SJB leader Sajith Premadasa increased 30 points to -30 in March compared to the previous month while favourability ratings of NPP/JVP leader AK Dissanayake and Pres. Ranil Wickremasinghe remained relatively unchanged at -24 (-2) and -78 (+1) respectively.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-07-26 . Sri Lanka presidential election set for September 21 amid ailing economy . 2024-07-27 . Al Jazeera . en.
  2. Web site: Sri Lanka to hold presidential election on Sept. 21 . 2024-07-27 . Nikkei Asia . en-GB.
  3. Web site: Ranil to contest Presidential election, hints at poll early next year - Top Story Daily Mirror . 2023-04-08 . . English.
  4. Web site: PTI . President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially announces candidacy for Sri Lankan presidency . 2024-07-28 . Deccan Herald . en.
  5. Web site: 21 October 2019 . November Lanka polls to test India's presence in southern Indian Ocean region . 25 October 2019 . Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury . The Economic Times.
  6. Web site: Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins the election as Premadasa concedes defeat to the former . 17 November 2019 . Al Jazeera.
  7. Web site: 15 July 2022 . Sri Lanka: President Gotabaya has officially stepped down . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220715064557/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/07/15/sri-lanka-president-gotabaya-has-officially-stepped-down/ . 15 July 2022 . 15 July 2022 . Newsfirst.
  8. News: 12 July 2022 . Sri Lanka Latest: Parliament to Elect New President July 20 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040320/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-11/sri-lanka-latest-opposition-to-cobble-all-party-government . 11 July 2022 . 15 July 2022 . . Ondaatjie . Anusha . Sirimanne . Asantha.
  9. News: 20 July 2022 . Sri Lanka live news: Ranil Wickremesinghe elected president . live . https://archive.today/20220720072157/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2022/7/20/sri-lanka-live-news-parliamentarians-to-vote-for-new-president . 20 July 2022 . 20 July 2022 . . Stepansky . Joseph.
  10. Web site: 20 July 2022 . Sri Lanka gets new President: Ranil Wickremesinghe . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720071421/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/07/20/sri-lanka-gets-a-new-president-ranil-wickremesinghe-wins-with-134-votes/ . 20 July 2022. 20 July 2022 . News First.
  11. Web site: 1981 . Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721153034/https://www.lawnet.gov.lk/presidential-electionsspecial-provisions/ . 21 July 2022 . 17 July 2022 . LawNet . Parliament of Sri Lanka.
  12. Web site: 2024 Presidential Election to be held on September 21 . 2024-07-26 . www.adaderana.lk . en.
  13. https://elections.gov.lk/web/wp-content/uploads/publication/acts/15-1981_E.pdf Presidential Elections Act, No 15 of 1981
  14. Web site: Gajanayake . Manjula . Siriwardana . Thusitha . Isuranga . Hirantha . Jayasinghe . Pasan . 2019 . 2019 Sri Lankan Presidential Election: Election Observation Report . 21 July 2022 . Centre for Monitoring Election Violence.
  15. Web site: 39 candidates are approved for Sri Lanka’s presidential election, the highest number ever . 2024-08-16 . 2024-08-16 . Associated Press.
  16. News: Fernandopulle . Sheain . Male-dominant presidential run continues . 16 August 2024 . . 15 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815075902/https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Male-dominant-presidential-run-continues/108-289568 . 15 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  17. News: De Silva . Priyan . A male-dominated contest . 16 August 2024 . . 16 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  18. Web site: 2024-08-10 . Prez Poll: SLPP faction backing Ranil poised to launch new party . 2024-08-10 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: CWC to back President Ranil in presidential poll . 2024-08-18. 2024-08-18 . Ada Derana.
  20. Web site: SLFP Decides To Back Ranil For President . 2024-08-11. 2024-07-31 . Newsfirst.
  21. Web site: EPDP vows to support President at September Poll . 2024-08-04 . Daily News.
  22. Web site: 2024-08-01 . Dinesh leaves Rajapaksas and supports Ranil . 2024-08-01 . Newswire . en-US.
  23. Web site: 2024-07-26 . Presidential Election: Bonds placed for Ranil to contest as independent candidate . 2024-07-26 . . en-US.
  24. Web site: 2024-08-15 . Bathiudeen pledges support to Sajith . 2024-08-15 . . en-US.
  25. Web site: 2024-07-10 . Dissident Sri Lanka ruling party group to back main opposition SJB: MP . 2024-08-04 . EconomyNext . en.
  26. Web site: Humane People's Alliance inks agreement with Samagi Jana Sandhanaya . 2024-08-14. 2024-08-13 . . en.
  27. Web site: Dayasiri to back Sajith in Presidential Election . 2024-08-03 . . en.
  28. Web site: SLMC to offer conditional support to Sajith in prez poll . 2024-08-06 . Ada Derana. en.
  29. Web site: 2024-08-06 . Tamil Progressive Alliance to support Sajith in Presidential Election . 2024-08-06 . . en-US.
  30. Web site: SLFP and UPFA faction back Sajith Premadasa in Presidential Election . 2024-08-06 . . en-US.
  31. Web site: 2024-08-14. Patali Champika to support Sajith in Presidential Election . 2024-08-14 . . en.
  32. Web site: 2024-08-04 . Kandura Janata Peramuna decides to support Sajith! Radhakrishnan tells in Nuwara Eliya! Join SJB alliance on the 8th! . 2024-08-06 . Mawrata News . en-US.
  33. Web site: 2023-05-16 . Sajith Premadasa named as SJB Presidential Candidate . 2023-05-17 . Newswire . en-US.
  34. Web site: JVP on the track before race is announced. 8 November 2023. Daily Mirror. en.
  35. Web site: 2024-07-25 . Sarath Fonseka to Contest Presidential Election . 2024-07-26. . en-US.
  36. Web site: 2024-07-25 . Sri Lanka's justice minister to run for president . 2024-07-26 . EconomyNext . en-US.
  37. Web site: 2024-08-07 . Namal Rajapaksa Announced As Candidate For Sri Lankan Presidency . 2024-08-07 . . en-US.
  38. News: Who's Running For President? Final List Of Those Who Placed Bonds . 16 August 2024 . . 15 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815234717/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2024/08/15/who-s-running-for-president-final-list-of-those-who-placed-bonds . 15 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  39. News: EC accepts nominations of all 39 presidential candidates . 16 August 2024 . . 15 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815134751/https://www.adaderana.lk/news/101257/ec-accepts-nominations-of-all-39-presidential-candidates . 15 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  40. News: 2024 Presidential Election: Symbols of independent candidates . 16 August 2024 . . 16 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  41. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - S. Amarasinghe . . 16 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201114080133/https://www.parliament.lk/en/members-of-parliament/directory-of-past-members/viewMember/1422 . 14 November 2020 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  42. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - P. Ariyaneththiran . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  43. Web site: 2024-08-09 . Some Tamil parties field common candidate . 2024-08-09 . The Island . en-US.
  44. Web site: Department of Physics: Academic Staff - Dr. P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake . . 16 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425104134/https://sci.pdn.ac.lk/physics/staff/PWSK-Bandaranayake . 25 April 2024 . Kandy, Sri Lanka.
  45. News: Aragalaya activist Nuwan Bopage enters Presidential fray . 16 August 2024 . . 30 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805112719/https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Aragalaya-activist-Nuwan-Bopage-enters-Presidential-fray/44-764922 . 5 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  46. Web site: Aragalaya activists, political parties launch political alliance . 2024-08-04 . . English.
  47. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - Akmeemana Dayarathana Thero . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  48. News: Samaraweera . Buddhika . Prez contender accuses Ranil on public property misuse . 16 August 2024 . . 1 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  49. News: Perera . Yohan . EC Chairman requested not to release any more audio recordings . 16 August 2024 . . 28 July 2020 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  50. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - Anura Sidney Jayarathne . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  51. News: Dilith Jayaweera signs nomination papers for Presidential election . 16 August 2024 . . 15 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815152324/https://www.ft.lk/news/Dilith-Jayaweera-signs-nomination-papers-for-Presidential-election/56-765578 . 15 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  52. Web site: Sarvajana Balaya to hold first political rally in Nugegoda today . 2024-08-04 . www.ft.lk . English.
  53. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - W. K. M. Sarath Keerthirathna . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  54. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - Kadukannage Ananda Kularatna . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  55. News: Sarath Manamendra supports President Rajapaksa . 16 August 2024 . . 30 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141231182455/https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=29248 . 31 December 2014 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  56. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - Victor Anthony . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  57. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - K. K. Piyadasa . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  58. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - M. M. Pemasiri Manage . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  59. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Members - Roshan Ranasinghe . . 17 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240614061306/https://www.parliament.lk/en/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/?cletter=R . 14 June 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  60. News: Janaka Ratnayake places deposit for Presidential election . 17 August 2024 . . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814072122/https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Janaka-Ratnayake-places-deposit-for-Presidential-election/108-289504 . 14 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  61. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - Mylvaganam Thilakarajah . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  62. Web site: Members of Parliament: Directory of Past Members - Ajantha De Zoysa . . 16 August 2024 . Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  63. News: Ajantha de Zoysa endorses NDF Candidate Sajith Premadasa . 16 August 2024 . . 4 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722220341/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2019/11/04/ajantha-de-zoysa-endorses-ndf-candidate-sajith-premadasa/ . 22 July 2023 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  64. News: Kariyakarawana . Kurulu Koojana . Majority of candidates enter Prez poll for petty personal gains – independent monitors . 16 August 2024 . . 12 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  65. News: Jayawardana . Sandun . Acting now to stop dummy candidates . 16 August 2024 . . 12 December 2019 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  66. News: Samarawickrama . Chaturanga Pradeep . Independent candidates used as proxies in elections: Former Election Commissioner . 16 August 2024 . . 12 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815173754/https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Independent-candidates-used-as-proxies-in-elections-Former-Election-Commissioner/108-289349 . 15 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  67. News: Ferdinando . Shamindra . Rejected MPs dominate nominations . 16 August 2024 . . 15 August 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  68. News: UPFA, NDF all set for do-or-die battle on Jan. 8 . 16 August 2024 . . 7 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240428032946/https://www.sundaytimes.lk/141207/columns/upfa-ndf-all-set-for-do-or-die-battle-on-jan-8-131519.html . 28 April 2024 . Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  69. Web site: Rajapaksa to seek second term as Sri Lanka crisis deepens . 17 January 2022 . France 24. 19 July 2021 .
  70. News: Sri Lanka President Vows to Finish Term, Won't Run for Re-Election . Bloomberg.com . 6 June 2022 .
  71. Web site: 7 July 2021 . Basil will contest for President in 2024, says SLPPS Ranjith Bandara .
  72. Web site: Namal tipped to be named SLPP presidential candidate as Dhammika Perera pulls out . 2024-08-07 . www.adaderana.lk . en.
  73. Web site: 2023-01-31 . Ex-Sri Lanka president Sirisena to run again; apologises to Catholics, compares self to Mandela . 2023-02-05 . EconomyNext . en.
  74. Web site: AK Dissanayake sees favourability ratings improve, but other party leaders see declines in January 2024 . 2024-02-26 . ihp.lk.

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