Colombo, March. 17 (PTI): Sri Lankan police today arrested a ruling party legislator who alleged that President Mahinda Rajapaksa's election campaign in 2005 had links with Tamil Tiger rebels.

Dissident lawmaker Sripathy Sooriarachchi was questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department of police in connection with a state vehicle he used just before he was sacked as Minister of Port Development, officials said.

He was later produced before a magistrate and remanded to fiscal custody for a period of two weeks, officials said.

Sooriarachchi as well as former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera were sacked by the President after the duo made allegations that Rajapaksa's close relatives cut a deal with the Tigers to win the November 2005 poll.

Tamil Tiger rebels did not allow minority Tamils to vote at the election which Rajapaksa narrowly won against Ranil Wickremesinghe who was tipped to receive minority votes.

However, after winning the election, the President has adopted a tough line against the rebels and his aides have strongly denied any deal with the Tigers.