According to the UNP, there was no covert political meeting between MP Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday night, despite photographs circulating on social media.

Mr. Rajapaksa and Mr. Wickremesinghe were seen dining together in photos that circulated on social media.

“Both Mr Rajapaksa and Mr. Wickremesinghe attended Mr. Wickremesinghe's neighbor's birthday party in Colombo 3's 5th lane. They never addressed politics, including the recent Cabinet reshuffle and changes in the institutions reporting to the Prime Minister, according to a statement.