Chief government whip Prasanna Ranatunga has ruled out supporting SLPP national organizer Namal Rajapaksa if he runs for the presidency.
Ranatunga said that as far as he knew, the party was not discussing Namal as a candidate.
I will not help him and will go out of politics if he contests, he said.
Ranatunga was speaking to former local government heads of Gampaha at his Udugampola office on the 02 April.
He is a talented youth, but needs more experience to hold such a position, he said.
If Ranil contests under ‘elephant symbol’
He also said that he will not support incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe either, if he contests under the ‘elephant’ symbol.
He should contest under a symbol agreeable to all and not ‘elephant’ or ‘Pohottuwa’ symbols, he said.
He needs the support of the SLPP to be the president again and around 80 per cent are willing to back him, said Ranatunga.
He added that he had no intention whatsoever of joining the UNP.
