Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied his son Yositha Rajapaksa's involvement in the suspected abduction, torture and murder of Wasim Thajudeen, who played rugby for the national team alongside Yositha.
The body of Mr Thajudeen will be exhumed on Monday, 3 years after his death, after allegations that authorities covered up investigations under the previous regime, and passed of his death as an accident, AFP reported.
Sri Lanka's press have reported that Mr Thajudeen was killed over a love triangle that involved Yositha.
"I welcome the investigation because that will help us to clear our name," Mr Rajapakse said, but he himself is accused of helping to cover up the murder.
"But the timing of the investigation suggests that the government is trying to make political capital out of it."
The former president pledged that he would investigate the death if he wins the general elections later this month.