Fernando as well as his three men had joined the SLFP from the UNP, she told ‘Sri Lanka Mirror.’

The ex-president identified them as Kurunegala mayor Gemunu, deputy mayor Anwar Sadthar and Aruna Dahanayake of Narammala, who had held a post when Fernando was the cooperatives minister.

Their jeering had started when she was lighting the oil lamp, but it died down due to the clapping, she said.

The ex-president also said that as she was leaving the meeting, Dahanayake had shouted at her, telling her not to reproach Mahinda Rajapaksa.

She said she did not go to respond, as she did not want to create an unnecessary scene.

Nikaweratiya Pradeshiya Sabha member Ananda had reprimanded Dahanayake, and SLFP general secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa intervened and settled the matter, she added.

She rejected claims in Namal Rajapaksa’s social media websites that a disturbance and an insulting of her occurred there.