Sri Lanka opposition leader quits presidential run in bid to stymie Wickremesinghe

Sajith Premadasa instead pledges support for splinter faction of ruling party that could upset PM's bid to become president

Sri Lanka's main opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa, has withdrawn from the presidential race and thrown his support behind a rival candidate, presenting a significant challenge to prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's bid for the executive role.

In an announcement made on Tuesday morning, Premadasa said that for the greater good of my country that I love and the people I cherish, I hereby withdraw my candidacy for the position of president".