National Freedom Front member and UPFA Parliamentarian Padma Udaya Shantha Gunasekera said Gotabaya Rajapaksa would be the Presidential candidate of the Joint Opposition. 

"He is the most popular leader at the moment. If anyone conducts a survey among those who voted for the Pohottuwa party, the large majority will want Gotabaya Rajapaksa to be the candidate," he said on the sidelines of the May Day rally. 

"There can be various opinions. But the former Defence Secretary will emerge finally," he added. 

The Parliamentarian added that the former Defence Secretary was a leader who could unite all political parties in Sri Lanka and draw everyone's support. 

"He is a man who can transcend political party differences and other divisions." 

The MP s aid defeating the proposed new constitution affecting the unitary status of the country would be a top priority for the presidential candidate of his party.