UPFA MP Sanath Jayasuriya refuted claims that he was not attending the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa rally at Matara because of his new deputy ministerial post.

Speaking to Asian Mirror, Jayasuriya said that he had already informed the organizers that he will not take part in the rally. He did not want to take sides in this issue, Jayasuriya added.

He also pointed out that UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha had issued a statement on the rally. In his statement, Premajayantha stated that this rally is not an event of the SLFP or the UPFA, Jayasuriya said.

Incidentally, the rally is held at the ground in Matara which is named after Sanath Jayasuriya. The cricketer-turned politician said that the organizers have quitely stopped from mentioning the name of the ground after it was clear that he will not attend.