evidence: However, the upcoming Presidential election is characterised by an unprecedented trend of party crossovers and changes in political loyalties. [31] It is reported that about 130 of SLPP’s 145 elected/appointed MPs have switched sides joining either the current President, SJB or Dilith Jayaweera’s Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) ahead of the election. [32] As "the single largest switching of allegiance in Sri Lanka’s political history," a record nearly 100 SLPP MPs have pledged their support to the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe. [33] Although, the repercussions of these defections will be revealed only after 21 September, yet it has definitely weakened the morale of the SLPP. Poll surveys conducted last year also stated a change in the voting pattern of Sri Lankans where it is estimated that an overwhelming majority of the SLPP voters have shifted their support to NPP or SJB with the maximum people preferred the former over the latter. [34] The reason behind this is that a large number of Sri Lankans held the wrong policies of the Rajapaksas responsible for the economic catastrophe in the country in 2022. [...] [36] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/rajapaksas-party-decides-against-backing-ranil-in-presidential-election/article68463561.ece [37] https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/unprecedented-crossovers-in-sri-lankas-presidential-race/