Oct 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka main opposition United National Party (UNP) Kalutara district parliamentarian Palitha Thewarapperuma, who was suspended by the party leadership, says he would resign from politics.

He said that the politics had affected his family affairs. He added that although he resigned he would not forget the people who supported him.

Thewarapperuma yesterday received the letter issued by the UNP suspending his membership from the party for attending an anti-government rally organized by the National Bhikku Front under the patronage of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.

He along with MPs Palitha Range Bandara, Ashoka Abeysinghe, Provincial Councilors Shiral Lakthilaka and Maithri Gunarathne received the letters of suspension of party membership.

They have been given a week's time to show cause for the participation of the political rally led by the former Army Commander on October 18 at Hyde Park.

The Working Committee of the UNP banned party members form attending the rally that was held to call the government to abolish the executive presidency.

UNP sources say investigations are under way to verify if 10 more members of local administration councils participated in the meeting.

The opposition party's dictatorial rule has pleased the ruling party as indicated by the Land and Lands Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon.

"Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe should be worshiped for the support the government receives from him," the Minister has commented yesterday addressing a function.