The Sri Lanka Podujana Party today confirmed that a member of the Rajapaksa family would be their Presidential candidate at the next election. 

Addressing a gathering in Matale, MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said it was certain that the SLPP would be a 'Rajapaksa'. 

Multiple reports said last week that the SLPP had decided to field former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Presidential candidate of the SLPP. 

By making this statement, Abeywardena ruled out of the possibility of President Maithripala Sirisena becoming the Presidential candidate of the SLPP-SLFP alliance. 

Addressing the same press conference, the UPFA MP said the Presidential election would take place in another seven months. 

It has been reported that Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has already informed President Maithripala Sirisena that the SLPP will field its own candidate at the next Presidential election.