State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake today joined SLPP presidential candidate Gotabya Rajapaksa on stage during a public rally in Pollonnaruwa. Senanayake was carried through the crowd at the rally, during Rajapaksa's address. Senanayake and Rajapaksa subsequently embraced each other on stage. Last week, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam announced that Senanayake would be removed from party membership immediately and his respective ministerial portfolio later on. UNP's decision came after Senanayake's letter to NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa demanding answers to questions including who would be appointed as PM. Vasantha Senanayake is the great grandson of UNP founder D. S. Senanayake.