JHU Leader Patali Champika Ranawaka and ACMC Leader Rishad Bathiudeen have vehemently denied Minister Harin Fernando's statement that they have offred support to UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa's presidential bid,

It is learnt that both Ranawaka and Bathiudeen are in favour of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya who has expressed his willingness to run for the presidency with the aim of abolishing the Executive Presidency and broadening democratic reforms.

However, they are yet to make their position public on the matter.

Fernando, a supporter of Premadasa, tweeted yesterday, "Ministers Patali, Mano Ganeshan, Digambaram, Rishad, & Rauff Hakeem confirmed to the UNP Parliamentary group that they will support Sajith Premadasa as the UNP Presidential candidate."

Although the UNF party leaders held a meeting last evening to make a decision on the matter, the discussion ended inconclusively.

However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told his allies that a final decision on the candidate would be made early next week.