Democratic Party (DP) Leader Sarath Fonseka said today his party was prepared to support a common opposition candidate at the next presidential election if a suitable candidate was selected.


“We are not prepared to support anyone but we will support a common candidate, who has a good track record,” the former Army Commander told a media briefing. He said his party was ready to support a joint effort by all opposition parties to topple this Government while maintaining their separate identities.

Elated at his party’s electoral success, Mr. Fonseka said DP members, supporters and well-wishers were happy about this achievement amid so many obstacles and hardships.

“As a political party we are only about a year old, but we competed with powerful and experienced political parties and therefore the votes and the number of seats we obtained is by no means considerable,” he said.

Mr. Fonseka said the DP was also glad about the increased number of votes obtained by other political parties at this election.

Meanwhile he said that his civic rights have also been restored and that he would contest at future elections. He said that having had the opportunity of casting his vote at the elections to the Western Provincial Council meant he could also represent the people at a future election.

The former Army Commander was released in May 2012 but without the restoration of his civic rights.