The Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's trip to Uganda, providing Rs 425,000 for the trip, UPFA MP and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Speaking to the media, he said that Rajapaksa left for Uganda after an official invitation.

As a former President he is entitled to government funding for official trips and it has been acknowledged by the Parliament as well, Gammanpila said.

The funding of Rajapaksa's Ugandan trip created some controversy recently, with Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva and Ministry Spokesperson Mahisini Kolonne unable to provide details on the alleged funding.

Meanwhile, the media inquired Gammanpila about reports that former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunge met with Rajapaksa in Uganda. Gammanpila replied that all Sri Lankans in Uganda met with the former President.