He is to back Presidential candidate - Maithripala Sirisena.

Three East Provincial Council members representing the All Ceylon Muslim Congress yesterday (22) pledged support to the common candidate, together with their party leader - Rishad Bathiudeen.

Meanwhile, reports say that SLFP member of the North Central Provincial Council - P.B. Dissanayake has also decided to support the common candidate. He functioned as a member of Parliament from 1994 - 2001.