State Minister of Public Administration and Democratic Governance C.B. Ratnayake is to welcome former president Mahinda Rajapaksa at an event in Nuwara Eliya this afternoon

Ratnayake, a former Minister in the Rajapaksa government, was appointed a state minister in March, when SLFP joined the UNP to form a national government. Ratnayake had earlier expressed support to the political comeback of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, after the formation of the national government, he had not taken part in any major political event by the pro-Rajapaksa group.

After the formation of the national government, Ratnayake told media that he considers the new post as an opportunity to protect SLFP party members.