Shanakiyan must have been in the habit of worshiping the Rajapaksa family, whereas I have never done so and do not intend to do so either, says United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in response to allegations levelled against him by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam. He made this statement while speaking Parliament today (06). "After the vote for Deputy Speaker was held yesterday, TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam had made an allegation that I am supporting the Rajapaksa family, whereas I would like to read out from a document back from the 21st of February 2013, where Rasamanickam had received the position as an SLFP organiser. This was handed over by Mahinda Rajapaksa. So this clearly proves that from before itself Rasamanickam has been behind the Rajapaksa's. He must be used to saying Mahinda Sarananggachchami, Namal Sarananggachchami, and Basil Sarananggachchami, so I request Rasamanickam not to make false allegations against me," said the former Prime Minister. Wickeremesinghe further went on to mention that he has spoken to Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya earlier and had commended him for stepping down from his position but had added that if there was a vote in Parliament, and he was a nominee, Wickremesinghe would vote for him again. "I cannot go back on my word. He stepped down due to his principals, whereas if he is re-elected after a vote, I see no wrong in that. I promised him my support and I did as I promised, I cannot go back on my word," he concluded.