In an announcement which the island nation has been expecting for weeks now, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former President of Sri Lanka who lost the Presidential elections earlier this year, has announced that he will contest the Parliamentary elections to be held on August 17, 2015. According to media reports, speaking at a rally in his hometown Madamulana, Rajapaksa said, "I have decided to contest parliamentary elections. I accept your request."
The Colombo Gazette reported him telling the crowd at the rally, "We cannot reject the request you have put before us. We will contest and look to form the next government."
However, it is not clear which party he will be representing and if he will be projecting himself as the Prime Ministerial candidate.
According to reports, Rajapaksa also reportedly said that he will look to rectify any mistakes made in the past. He invited all political parties, including the United National Party, to join hands with him. Rajapaksa accused the UNP-led Government after taking decisions which pose a threat to National Security.
Read a detailed report on Rajapaksa's political strategy here.