Minister Chamal Rajapaksa cleared the air on former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s participation at the newly constructed auditorium of the District Secretariat was also inaugurated.

It was widely speculated on social media that Bathiudeen might support the government for the passage of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and his presence at the opening was an indication of the politician’s future moves .

Issuing a statement. Rajapaksa said, “There has been some discussion on social media about the participation of Rishad Badurdeen, a former minister and a Member of Parliament for the district.

I would like to inform the people who voted with confidence in the government that even if I attend the event as the Member of Parliament representing the Opposition, it will not be a step towards joining the ruling party or seeking the party's support for future amendments to the Constitution.“