He says his supporters have expressed displeasure and objected to his having accepted the position.

Karaliyadde says he never expected to be appointed a deputy minister, but 17 out of 20 central committee members told him to accept it.

But, 70 villages in his Medawachchiya electorate are opposed to it, and accused him of having joined the UNP, he said.

Noting that he would bow to the people’s decision, he said both the president and minister Karu Jayasuriya are good persons.

The president is on a very difficult journey, he said.