Sports and Tourism Minister Navin Dissanayake alleged that there was a 'mafia' in Sri Lanka's sports sector during the former government's rule.

The 'mafia' was run by the three sons of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Dissanayake claimed at a meeting in Maskeliya recently.

Dissanayake, who was part of the former government until his defection to the Maithripala Sirisena camp during the recent presidential election, said that the 'mafia' was broken after the election of a new government.

He alleged that the country's development was focused on one family during the Rajapaksa government. The Rajapaksa family developed during that period, he elaborated.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa spoke about his alleged links with the LTTE and refuted the claims that he had paid money to the now defunct terrorist organization.

Taking part in a special press conference in Colombo, the former President asked if he would have destroyed the LTTE in three years, if he had a friendship with the organization in 2005.

He said that LTTE destroyed all leaders who wanted to get closer to the organization.

Rajapaksa added that there is no secret about those who gave weapons and money to the LTTE in the past.

Three years after Wassim Thajudeen's death, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa confirmed that the Rugy player's death was a "killing".

Rajapaksa, addressing a press conference at Jaic Hilton Hotel in Colombo this morning, said he would probe the killing of ruggerite Wassim Thajudeen if his party was elected to office at the general election.

"There should be an investigation. I am not disputing that, But this is a serious allegation - a murder. When we go through the reports we can see what has happened.The police should conduct a fair inquiry. In a future  government under our leadership, we too will conduct an investigation," the former president said.

However, he raised suspicions over the timeline of the investigations. He said the new government started investigations into the murder just a few weeks ahead of the election.

Moreover, when contacted by Asian Mirror, a senior officer of the Police Department said fresh investigations into Thajudeen's death started in February.

He said the Criminal Investigations Department carried out inquiries for nearly four months and investigated into every aspect of the case.

Wasim Thajudeen died in 2012 in what was described as an accident. However, the CID recently told the Colombo Fort Magistrate that the death is no accident. Considering a request by the CID, the Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris gave permission recently to exhume Thajudeen's remains. The exhumation is scheduled for tomorrow.

Several political leaders have accused the Rajapaksa family of being involved in the alleged murder of Thajudeen. However, speaking to the BBC Sandeshaya recently, Namal Rajapaksa, elder son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, refuted these allegations. "We were family friends" Rajapaksa said.

Police discovered 25,000 posters this morning, printed with the intention of slinging mud at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Police Media Unit told Asian Mirror that the posters were discovered at a printing press in Divulapitiya in Boralesgamuwa.

Three individuals were also arrested with the posters, police also said. They were found to be residents of Piliyandala and Pothuhera.

The three suspects were later released by the Gangodawila Magistrate Court on sureties of Rs 200,000 each.