Democratic National Front (DNF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has assured that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement will not be signed without prior Parliament and public consensus.

Premadasa stated these views in a letter addressed to Ven. Ududumbara Kashyapa Thera who commenced a fast-unto-death protest yesterday against the signing of the MCC deal. He said the government has decided not to sign the $480 Mn MCC agreement before the 16 Nov Presidential polls. "I will not proceed with any agreement that is disadvantageous to the country," Premadasa assured. He said the proceedings of the MCC agreement will continue under the consultation of Kashyapa Thera and the Maha Sangha Rathnaya. On the 29th of October, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the $ 480 Million MCC grant had been approved by the cabinet. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told media the following day that the MCC agreement will be signed before the presidential elections set to be held on 16 Nov. However, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday issuing a press statement said the contents of the MCC agreement were unknown and that the agreement should not be signed before the polls. A fundamental rights petition has also been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an interim injunction against the signing of the MCC agreement.