UNP MPs Johnston, Indika to back president Rajapaksa

Two UNP parliamentarians Johnston Fernando and Indika Bandaranayake have decided to back incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa at next month's presidential elections.

Mr. Fernando said their decision was a show of protest against the party's not fielding its own candidate.

The UNP has endorsed the candidature of Gen. Sarath Fonseka from the common opposition, to which the two MPs have voiced their strong protest.

Together with Colombo's former deputy mayor Asath Sally, the two MPs made their stance known at the party's working committee and publicly criticized the leadership Ranil Wickremesinghe.

According to Mr. Fernando, the UNP has for the first time in its history has failed to field a presidential candidate under its 'elephant' symbol.

The two MPs, both representing Kurunegala district, are due to hold a media briefing this afternoon to announce their decision.

Earlier, the party's national organizer S.B. Dissanayake resigned from the party and extended his support to president Rajapaksa over the same issue.