The United National Party must refrain from giving nominations to those who expressed anti-Buddhist remarks, MP Wijepala Hettiarachchi said.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo yesterday, Hettiarachchi said it was the members who expressed anti-Buddhist remarks who were largely responsible for the UNP's defeat.

The lack of support from Buddhist monks and Buddhist organizations cost the UNP dearly at the recently-concluded Presidential election.

Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera and former Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayaka are the key persons in the party who expressed remarks that angered Buddhists.

Samaraweera continued his criticism of Buddhist monks even after the Presidential election.