Ven. Dodampahala Rahula Thero has called on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to withdraw the SLPP candidacy of his son, Namal Rajapaksa, and instead support independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. The appeal was made during a Buddhist conference held on Sunday at the Abhayaramaya Temple in Narahenpita.

Ven. Rahula Thero said that backing other candidates who oppose Ranil Wickremesinghe amounts to opposing the nation’s core values, including religion, security, and language. He urged Mahinda Rajapaksa to make the decision for the country's benefit, describing it as a patriotic duty.

The Chief Incumbent of the Abhayaramaya Temple, Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero, also expressed support for Ranil Wickremesinghe, asserting that he is the only leader capable of steering the country effectively.

Rahula Thero assured that he would support Namal Rajapaksa in the future when the time is right, but stressed that, for now, Namal should step aside to support Ranil’s candidacy.