Former Opposition Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa today apologised to Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith over a statement made by former MP Harin Fernando.

Addressing a press conference today, Premadasa apologized profusely to the Colombo Archbishop if Fernando's statement caused any inconvenience.

Addressing an election rally, Fernando criticized Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith for politicizing his position before the last Presidential election.

"At the Presidential election, 500,000 votes would have made a difference. There was a well-orchestrated campaign to ensure that this bloc does not vote for the UNP-led alliance's candidate," Fernando said.

"We all know that 80% of Catholic votes traditionally support the UNP. They carried out a well-thought-out plan to drive them away. Cardinal Ranjith said certain ministers, whose fathers knew of the Easter Sunday attacks, managed to protect themselves. That statement alone was a part of that politically orchestrated plan," Fernando explained