Sajin Vass Gunawardena says he will support SJB in Parliament

COLOMBO (News1st): Sajin Vaas Gunawardena has said he would support the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) if he wins the parliamentary election from the New Democratic Front. "I believe in the principles and policies of Sajith Premadasa (the SJB leader). He has what it takes to reseolve these issues," Gunawardena said during News1st's Newsline programme on Thursday. He pointed out that some "elderly" frontbenchers must resign from politics as the people are demanding a big change in terms of representation. "That is the day we can change this country," the candidate pointed out adding that elderly lawmakers are not willing to allow the youngsters to move up the ladder. Gunawardena said he decided to contest from the New Democratic Front in the Galle District based on the "temparament" in the localty. The candiate, in 2014, was surrounded by controversy after allegedly assaulting the then Sri Lanka High Commissioner in UK Chris Nonis, who quit after the incident. "I didn't hit him as such. I pulled him by the tie. I did that," Gunawardena conceded, further admitting that it was an inappropriate act. However, he said that the incident had taken place in a bar in response to Nonis' criticism of a former president, and that the altercation did not make him a rogue. "If I was somebody of that sort, I would have been behind bars a long time ago," the candidate added.