Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, who announced on Wednesday that he will take part in the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa rally in Ratnapura, arrived at the rally a short while ago.

The rally is the third in the series of rallies organized by Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader Dinesh Gunawardena, National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa, Left Democratic Front leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila.

Posting a statement on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Ranatunga said that he will arrive in the island at midnight on March 25 to take part in the rally. Accordingly, he arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport at midnight.

Prasanna Ranatunga had earlier stated that he will take part in the second pro-Rajapaksa rally at Kandy on March 6. However, within days of the rally, Ranatunga left the country. He said that he had to leave on an unavoidable trip.

Meanwhile, SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa reiterated on Wednesday that the ban imposed on SLFP members from taking part in rallies organized by other parties was still in force. However, a number of provincial council and local government authority members were present in the meeting. Meanwhile, some reports indicated that several SLFP MPs will also attend the rally.