A source with knowledge of the matter has denied rumors that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be appointed as Prime Minister on Saturday. Rajapaksa had previously resigned from the Prime Minister’s post on May 9th last year, following violent clashes between his supporters and protestors.

The sudden increase in military and police presence in Colombo on Friday evening had further fueled rumors that an imminent political change was about to take place, causing concern among the residents. However, no official statement has been released regarding the increase in security personnel, leading to speculations that President Ranil Wickremesinghe was planning to appoint Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister.

Multiple sources have now confirmed that there is no truth to the rumors, and that there are no plans to appoint Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. The source familiar with the matter has further stated that the increased security measures are a part of routine precautions and that there is no cause for alarm.