Many senior politicians, including former presidents and ministers, have decided not to contest the next general election.
Among them are former presidents such as Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickramasinghe, former minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, former speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, former foreign minister Ali Sabri, former justice minister and the candidate of the last presidential election Wijedasa Rajapaksa.
Meanwhile, former Media Minister Bandhula Gunawardena has stated that he is not only not contesting the general election but is also ready to retire from politics as a whole.
The chief organizer of the opposition, Lakshman Kiriella, has also stated that he would not contest this election.
According to party sources, many MPs from the main parties’ national lists will not get seats this time.
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