National Freedom Party (NFF) leader Wimal Weewawansa confirmed that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa signed nomination papers to contest forthcoming general election a short while ago.

Weerawansa confirmed the news during a media briefing currently being held in Colombo.

Rajapaksa will contest from Kurunegala district under United Peoples Freedom Allians (UPFA), he told.

Rajapaksa yesterday threatened to field a separate group over not being allowed nominations to Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.  He also insisted last night that members of his core group, known as 'Abharamaya cabal', should be given nominations to contest under the UPFA.

However UPFA agreed to give nominations to Prasanna Ranatunga but rejected to give nominations for former MPs Sajin Vass Gunawardena, Duminda Silva, Mervyn Silva and Sarana Gunawardena, highly placed UPFA sources told Asian Mirror.

UPFA candidates are presently signing nominations at Mahaweli Centre, Colombo 07, with its General Secretary Susil Premajayantha