Former Lanka prez Rajapaksa will contest elections for PM in August

July 01, 2015 12:23

Former Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa says he accepts requests to contest elections for prime minister in August. Rajapaksa says he will look to rectify any mistakes made in the past when attempting to form the next government.

President Maithripala Sirisena has resisted calls to allow 69-year-old Rajapaksa to contest.

However, a six-member committee appointed to have talks with Sirisena and Rajapaksa has clinched the former President's candidature.

Sirisena, who was the Health Minister in the Rajapaksa Cabinet, joined the main opposition UNP just ahead of the January 8 presidential election.

Rajapaksa had sacked Sirisena from the party but handed him the leadership after the latter's victory over him.

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