When contacted, a member of the SLFP nomination committee said Rajapaksa has applied for nominations from Kurunegala, and that president Sirisena was yet to oppose that.

Rohan Welivita, media coordinator for Rajapaksa, said he was unaware of it.

Meanwhile, Rajapaksa would be defeated if he contests from Kurunegala, said minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, who is the UNP leader for the district.

Commenting on this, former deputy speaker Chandima Weerakkody said Rajapaksa would win irrespective of from which district he would contest.

The UNP is in a rage due to the Sirisena-Rajapaksa union, he said.