Busloads of people have arrived in the capital Colombo to attend the rally organized by the United National Party (UNP) to protest the appointment of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. 

Senior members of the UNP addressed the cheering crowds, pledging to continue their fight for democracy to be upheld in the country. 

MP Harin Fernando apologised to the UNP supporters for making Sirisena President and vowed to send him home. MP Sajith Premadasa said the party was willing to risk their lives to protect the mandate of the people. 

Meanwhile, MP Rajitha Senaratne warned that economic and other sanctions can b expected if Sri Lanka continued with its ‘fake government.’ He said the international community had said that Sri Lanka was well on its way to becoming a pariah state. 

Meanwhile, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would not allow President Sirisena to usurp the powers of Parliament, and vowed to defeat the attempt, saying that Temple Trees today stood as a symbol of democracy. 

The rally is still underway in Colombo.