SLMC Leader former Minister Rauff Hakeem said his party had no connection whatsoever with Zaharan Hashim, the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks.

Addressing an election meeting in the Kandy district, Hakeem said such allegations were planted in the media space for petty political motives.

"We were unaware of their existence and we did not know they were preparing for terrorist activities," Hakeem said.

The SLMC leader said the fabricated stories were aimed at creating troubles for the SLMC at elections" he added.

Hakmee and several other Muslim politicians came under severe criticism from various quarters in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.