Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the authentic Sri Lanka Freedom Party is still with him.

He made this comment at Madurawala Pradeshiya Sabha earlier today, local media reports said.

He also said that he has been invited for the rally held at Kandy in support of making him the Prime Minister candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He avoided giving a direct answer when he was asked whether he was taking part, saying that he was on his way to a wedding.

Anticipating the rally, SLFP banned its members from taking part in rallies organized by other parties.

The rally is scheduled to start at 3pm.