Rumours about Minister Sagala Ratnayaka's possible crossover to the Gotabhaya Rajapaksa camp are completely false, sources close to the Minister told Asian Mirror.

They said there was no such move and Ratnayaka was wholeheartedly committed to the campaign of NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa.

Sources added that it was a malicious rumour aiming to derail the UNP's election campaign. Over the last two weeks, Ratnayaka set up nearly 25 elections offices covering a number of polling centres in Morawaka and Deniyaya areas. "Deniyaya is the most organized electorate in the Southern province with a strong grassroots level machinery. It was Ratnayaka who set it up. He has no reason to switch sides," a spokesman close to the Minister said.

Ratnayaka was seen with Premadasa at an election rally in Mulatiyana, Hakmana last evening.

The rally was attended by a large number of UNP stalwarts, including Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.