President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday vouched for the honesty and intergrity of UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, a Presidential aspirant of the UNP.

Addressing a public meeting attended by Premadasa, Sirisena said the UNP Deputy Leader was one of the most honest politicians of the current government.

The President also said he was never reluctant to praise the good work undertaken by the Minister. He reiterated that Premadasa was not a "thief" who stole the public money.

It is widely believed that Sirisena would choose to support Premadasa if the latter managed to secure the UNP's Presidential candidacy.