Sri Lanka Muslim Congress will support Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the upcoming Presidential Election, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem said at a press conference this morning.

Hakeem, who is the Minister of Justice in the ruling UPFA government, said that he will also resign from his ministerial portfolio.

The final decision of the SLMC, Sri Lanka’s main Muslim political party, was reached at the party’s Supreme Council meeting last evening following weeks of speculation.

A majority of the party reportedly favored the decision to support Sirisena while some members were of the view that they should stay in the government.

The party had repeatedly delayed announcing its decision due to discussions hitting roadblocks as members of the party were split over supporting the Common Candidate and President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is seeking a third term in office.

The news will come as a major blow to Rajapakse, who suffered a similar setback to his re-election hopes on Monday when another key Muslim Minister and his party quit the coalition government.

Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) and former Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen switched allegiance to Maithripala Sirisena, the main opposition candidate seeking to topple Rajapakse in a January 8 election.

He said some 69 elected representatives from his ACMC were joining the opposition in a mass defection of Muslims politicians from the government.

The Tamil National Alliance, the main political party representing Tamils, has not formally pledged support to either of the two main candidates, but has strongly hinted that it will not support the President.