UPFA Parliamentarian Dinesh Gunawardena said that they invited former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take part in today’s rally in Nugegoda.

Speaking to Asian Mirror, the Parliamentarian said that the organizers had invited all the leaders of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to take part in today’s rally.

The rally - which is themed as ‘Country at risk – are you ready to win the country with Mahinda?’ - will take place at the Ananda Samarakoon open air theatre in Nugegoda today evening.  

Gunawardena also added that no party within the UPFA were invited in particular and that the rally is open to anyone.

However, SLFP National Organizer and UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha yesterday (17) said that although the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and United People's Freedom Alliance has not been invited for the rally by supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa, anyone can attend it in personal capacity. 

Premajayantha asserted that anyone has the right to attend any rally and any party or group of parties within the UPFA can hold their own rallies separately.

“Even though they hold rallies separately they will contest elections under the betel leaf symbol,” he added.

However, Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has already told media that he will attend the rally as a person who voted for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa