Mr. Ferdinandis is a former secretary of Foreign minister - Mangala Samaraweera.

Minister Rajitha was responding to Dilanka Gunatillake of the 'Mawbima' newspaper during today's (07) cabinet briefing.

Initially, the minister had said that there were journalists behind those inciting racism and that the state intelligence was on the alert. To this, Dilanka has asked whether the minister was indirectly referring to Ruwan Ferdinandis, a former secretary of the Foreign minister.

In response, the minister has said the above.

Shouldn't be taken seriously, but harmful

Speaking to 'Sri Lanka Mirror' on this regard, Mr. Ferdinandis said that minister Rajitha's statements should not be taken seriously as he had made many such statements since the present government had swept into power.

"Regardless, it is harmful to my image," he said.

"Also, the Mawbima newspaper branding me as a Sinhalese extremist is not surprising as they incited state defence units after branding me as a Tamil Tiger during the Rajapaksa era," he added.

Party photo

Of late, two photographs of Mr. Ferdinandis have been circulating in certain websites and social media, claiming him to be the owner of the name 'Sinha le'.

The photographs were among those taken at a birthday party of Senaka de Silva, the former secretary of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

Around 200 distinguished guests including Foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Finance minister Ravi Karunanayake attended the party, held at the Shamrock club on August 25, 2014.

The photographs are shown below.