^{Photo: Facebook/Susantha Punchinilame}

Sri Lanka Podujana Perumana Party’s Triconmalee candidate MP Punchinilame, said that “should voters not vote for him, the next and only option for them is to vote for TNA leader Sampanthan” during his election campaign in the North-East.

“I seek endorsement from the people to serve them. However, if you do not want to vote for me, your next choice should be Sampanthan”, Punchinilame stated during two election rallies in Trincomalee. 

He underlined the good relationship Sampanthan had with his father, who served as the chief minister of Sabaragamuwa between 1988 and 1989. “He was a close friend of my father Punchinilame and they both went to parliament together from this district during the 1977 election .”

“Therefore, their long public service and political experience are essential. Sampanthan and my father have worked together despite racial, religious and linguistic differences to carry out many public services,” he added.

At a public meeting last month, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary, Mahinda Amaraweera said that members of the party are sabotaging opportunity for the party to gain a two-thirds majority in the general election, and that voters are losing courage due to comments made by some individuals. Punchinilame has represented the UPFA as a parliamentarian. 

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