Ramanayake says he was born at Pallamsena, Kochchikade in Negombo, and that the UNP leader had given him the Katana electorate in Gampaha as his first political responsibility.

In an interview with Sri Lanka Mirror editor Kelum Shivantha, he said Sannasgala had abandoned the Sabaragamuwa CM candidature, as the then president Mahinda Rajapaksa had threatened him.

Sannasgala has told Mawbima newspaper that Rajapaksa had telephoned and threatened him that his throat would be cut, in the same manner Rukantha Gunatilake’s head was shaven, he pointed out.

Ramanayake noted that he accepted the challenge four weeks prior to the election, polled 136,000 votes and secured two more seats for the UNP, while his challenger, CM Mahipala Herath gained only 95,000 votes.