Ex-president Rajapaksa resurfaces after Sri Lanka wins big in sports
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa surfaced on Twitter on Sunday September 11 for the first time since his ouster in July to congratulate the national cricket team which won the cricket Asia Cup 2022.
Rajapaksa’s last tweet was on July 08, a day before protestors stormed his official residence and office complex in the capital Colombo, demanding his resignation. The military-man-turned-politician was forced to flee the country hours after the unprecedented siege.
Thousands of protestors had been taking to the streets demanding Rajapakasa’s resignation for his role in Sri Lanka’s prevailing economic crisis, the worst since the island nation gained independence from the British in 1948.
Congratulations to the #lka cricket team on the win against #Pakistan in the #AsiaCup2022Final in Dubai. The commitment and teamwork shown by the #SriLankan team have been remarkable.@OfficialSLC
pic.twitter.com/VyezYAt8ua
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) September 11, 2022
The ex-president did not, however, congratulate Sri Lanka’s national netball team which in a remarkable coincidence won the Asian Netball Championship 2022 earlier Sunday.
Other political leaders also took to Twitter to celebrate the twin-victory.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe tweeted that Sri Lanka can overcome its challenges with determination and dedication.
Congratulations to the Sri Lankan cricket team on winning the Asia Cup 2022. Well played Pakistan!
The second championship for today. Goes to show that, with dedication and determination we can overcome challenges as a nation. Onwards and upwards Sri Lanka!
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) September 11, 2022
Former Sports Minister and incumbent Tourism Minister Harin Fernando expressed mixed feelings that left some Twitter users confused.
What a day Sri Lanka win net ball championship, I loose my school final on Rugger and Sri Lanka become Asia champs , lot wanted to laugh bcz I am a politician, we divide by school religion party but we come together as Sri Lanka #Srilankacan #visit Srilanka
— Harin Fernando (@fernandoharin) September 11, 2022
Fernando’s successor as Sports Minister in the previous administration Namal Rajapaksa seemed to hint at a personal familiarity with the Sri Lanka cricket team’s rocky path to Sunday night’s stunning win.
What a victory for #SriLanka! The last time SL won a major tournament was back in 2014 but this one is special. It was a brilliant display of fight & determination. Having seen how this team progressed I know how much this victory means to them. Congratulations & well done!
— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) September 11, 2022
(Colombo/Sep12/2022)
