Azath Sally, in a press conference today played video footage of what appeared to be Nandana Lokuwitharana, the controversial businessman linked to former President Mahinda Rajapakse, on a phone call.

According to Sally, the video reveals Lokuwithana mentioning that he had got the nod to proceed on a cement project from the PM himself. He then instructs the person on the other end of the line to “get everyone else on their side”.

Lokuwithana shot to infamy when he was embroiled in the ‘Marriot’ scandal, and was identified as a ‘frontman’ for the former President. Online media has also reported that he was named in the Panama Papers.