Leader of the Democratic Party Sarath Fonseka reiterated that he would not extend his support to a common candidate at the next Presidential election. 

Fonseka was the common candidate of the opposition at the Presidential election in 2010 – where President Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected to power with a resounding majority. 

“We will not support a common candidate if it puts our party in jeopardy, but we are willing to support a candidate who will not forget where he stands and with whom he stands”, Fonseka said in an interview with BBC Sandeshaya.

Fonseka also has said that the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has hinted that he expects the support of the Democratic Party in the upcoming presidential election. This statement has elicited no official response from the country’s main opposition the United National Party.

Speaking further, Sarath Fonseka said that even though there have not been any official discussions, several opposition parties have held unofficial discussions with the Democratic Party regarding the presidential election.

“Saving the country from its current pathetic state is the sole objective of all opposition parties and we have tread in parallel paths when the wellbeing of the country is at stake”, Fonseka said.

Meanwhile Sarath Fonseka lashed out at the Deputy Leader of United National Party Sajith Premadasa, saying that he is causing a rift inside the United National Party. “We make an open request from Sajith Premadasa to not pull the opposition leader’s leg and to engage in politics like a ‘gentleman’”, Fonseka said.