Samagi Jana Balawegaya General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said former Finance Minister Mangala Samarweera would continue to function as a member of his party despite the latter's withdrawal from candidacy.

Speaking to media yesterday, Madduma Bandara said Samaraweera had not stepped down from his membership with the samagi Jana Balawegaya led by Sajith Premadasa.

The General Secretary described Samaraweera's move as a "personal decision."

However, it is also assumed that Samaraweera has struck an agreement with former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. It is still not clear whether the former Finance Minister wll support the election campaign of the SJB.