SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has reiterated that the party will not entertain the idea of fielding a common candidate at the next Presidential election.

The Opposition Leader's statement comes as a number of parties have already initiated discussions to find a common candidate to unite all opposition forces for the Presidential election in 2024. The discussions are fuelled by MP Wijedasa Rajapakshe's defection from the government over the Colombo Port City bill.

Speaking a number of senior figures of the party, Premadasa has said the party will not back a common candidate and the party leader will be the SJB's candidate for the next election.

"We learnt our lessons in 2015 and we will not repeat the mistake," Premadasa said.