Western Province Minister and Jathika Hela Urumaya stalwart Udaya Gammanpila stated the JHU will not support opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe - who was once dubbed by the JHU as "Don Juan".

Gammanpila added that if the government is not ready to accept the proposals put forward for constitutional reform, and decides to call a presidential election instead, his party will have to look into an alternative step.

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He made these comments at the National Convention of the JHU held today.

Speaking further, he said that President Rajapaksa has a wonderful opportunity to clean the constitution of all the ills in it since the government has a two thirds majority. Gammanpila reminded that the first ever two thirds majority was obtained by Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1970 and she made the country a Republic through this.

Gammanpila also reminded that despite all its ills, JR Jayawardena used his majority exceeding 2/3, given to him in 1977, to create the executive presidency and drive the country’s economy forward. Executive Presidency was vital when the battle against the LTTE was raging, since despite government changes the presidents could hold the campaign together. Gammanpila was obviously referring to the period when the UNP was in power between 2001 and 2004.

He also stated that the current government obtained a 2/3 majority in 2010 but unlike the earlier governments, has not used it in any positive manner. Therefore it is now an old and rusted 2/3 majority. The government will not be able to keep it in the next election and therefore it is high time the government used it for positive change, he said.

However, if the government is not ready to use it, the JHU will take a decision, which may be even finding a common candidate with the help of groups that support it, Gammanpila said. "Ranil Wickremasinghe, who was once dubbed as Don Juan by the JHU, is not the alternative," he added.

There was a large section of people who do not support both main parties in the country, added Gammanpila, stating a common candidate will be able to garner their support.

Meanwhile, a special meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and JHU representatives will take place at Temple Trees on October 21, government sources said.