Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave a phone call this morning to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to request a ground for the 'Jana Satana Paada Yathra' rally this afternoon, informed political sources said.

The Prime Minister had informed Rajapaksa that he needed to speak to the President regarding the matter. Sources close to the Prime Minister said the latter then spoke to the President on Rajapaksa's request.

After the Prime Minister's telephone call, President Maithripala Sirisena had instructed authorities to comply with the request and had added that the Galle Face Green and the Campbell Park could be given for the Joint Opposition's rally.

According to highly placed political sources, the Prime Minister had then informed of the decision to Rajapaksa, upon which he has asked for the Campbell Park. They added that Rajapaksa was not happy to hold the final rally at the Galle Face Green  - one of the most spacious grounds in the capital city. 

The Joint Opposition had previously requested the Hyde Park for the rally. However, some renovation work was initiated at Hyde Park, last week.