Nawinne to support Sajith at presidential poll

Parliamentarian S B Nawinne, who supported Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa during the political crisis last year, today (Sept 28) said he would support presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming polls.

"I consider supporting United National Party (UNP) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa as my duty. He should win the presidential election," the UNP parliamentarian told a news conference this morning.

Nawinne called on all politicians irrespective of their parties to support Minister Premadasa at the November 16 election.

"I distanced myself from active politics while being in the UNP due to certain circumstances recently. However, since Sajith Premadasa has been nominated as the candidate I will work towards supporting him," the parliamentarian told reporters.

The news conference had been held at the residence of Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

MP Nawinne had joined the UNP during the 2015 general election, after serving for some 30 years in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

Recently, Premadasa had called on all UNP members who had distanced themselves from the party to join hands and contribute towards ensuring his victory at the election.