The decision to support the United National Party (UNP) Leader, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was taken not looking for any political benefit but for the best interest of the country, claimed Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government Parliamentarian Dr. Gayashan Nawananda.

When contacted, Dr. Nawananda, who joined the UNP’s May Day rally supporting the President, told The Daily Morning yesterday (2), that he was ready to face any consequence of his decision but would not change his stance under any circumstances. He also claimed that President Wickremesinghe is the only political leader in the country who has the capacity and experience to revive the country’s failing economy. He said that the Democratic Left Front (DLF), led by Opposition MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, of which he is a part of, will not be taking actions against him. “I am not a member of the SLPP. I am a member of the DLF. When the Government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted, MP Nanayakkara, who was the Leader of the Party, wanted to sit in the Opposition. But, I didn’t want to. Consequently, he removed me from the Party. But, I went to the Supreme Court and was able to secure my MP seat. From then onwards, I supported the incumbent Government,” he said.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the SLPP and Government MP, attorney Sagara Kariyawasam told The Daily Morning that Dr. Nawananda was not a member of the SLPP even though he was elected from the SLPP led alliance. Therefore, Kariyawasam said that no action will be taken against him for supporting the UNP May Day rally, claiming that he has never been involved in the Party's activities after the Election.

Several attempts to contact Nanayakkara proved futile.