Former Minister Mervyn Silva stated that he is against nominating Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Ministerial candidate in the next general election.

He made this observation while speaking to media yesterday, following Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena’s second death anniversary memorial service at Weligampitiya St. Anne’s Church. Silva made it clear that an individual who once held the top most position should not contest for a lower office again.

According to Parabhava Sutta, it is a sign of decline, Silva said.

Meanwhile, Silva also said that he will contest from Kelaniya in the next general election under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Silva also expressed his gratitude to late Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena for being the architect of his political return after being expelled from the SLFP in 1993. He said that Jayawardena helped him, along with Anura Bandaranaike, to meet the then President D. B. Wijetunge and join the UNP.