Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa has said so when inquired by Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera.

He has said that top figures in the joint opposition want only him to join them, while both Basil and Gotabhaya have told him that they would not get involved in politics for now.

However, reports reaching Sri Lanka Mirror say several of those top figures opposed to Basil, and activists of ‘Voice of Intellectuals’ had a meeting with Gotabhaya recently.

Gotabhaya’s wife and friends have strongly opposed his joining politics.

Attempts to reach the ex-defence secretary for comments were unsuccessful.