Mahinda Rajapaksa signs nominations to contest parliamentary election

COLOMBO: Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa today signed nomination papers to contest forthcoming general election under the ruling UPFA coalition of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena whose poll victory had ended his own rule as president.

"The former president will be contesting the upcoming General Election from Kurunegala under the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and that he has already signed the nomination papers," his Media Coordinator Rohan Weliwita said.

Former Minister and National Freedom Party (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa has also confirmed to media at a press briefing in Colombo today that the 69-year-old former president has signed nomination papers, Colombo Page reported.

Sirisena has for long resisted his predecessor's re-entry into politics after his shock victory as the opposition unity candidate in the January 8 presidential poll that ended Rajapaksa's decade-long rule.

The president's decision to allow Rajapaksa back has shocked many in his coalition.

Accused of siphoning off millions during his decade-long tenure, Rajapaksa and his family members are facing multiple allegations of graft under the new regime.

Weerawansa, a staunch supporter of the former president, has also signed nominations today.