Parliamentarians from the Mahinda-faction of the UPFA claimed the former president had more support than ever and would be appointed the prime minister after the elections.
Speaking to media on Thursday, former minister and Colombo District MP Bandula Gunawardena said the masses were demanding the return of the former president and the current wave of support in the country for him was much bigger than at the 2005 and 2010 presidential elections.
Former external affairs minister G. L. Peiris and Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga also addressed the media.
Mahinda Rajapaksa will not be given prime ministerial portfolio confirms cabinet spokesman (18 June 2015)