Mahinda affirms Basil will be back soon

 

By Jayashika Padmasiri
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday assured that his brother and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa, former Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) National Organiser who is currently in the US, will return to Sri Lanka soon.
Rajapaksa made this announcement after attending a book launch ceremony at the Narahenpita Abayaramaya Temple.
Answering a question raised by the media regarding the ongoing investigations against Basil Rajapaksa in connection to the alleged fraud in the ‘Divi Neguma’ fund, the former President said that his sibling had already said that he would come to Sri Lanka soon.
Commenting about Parliam-entarian Wimal Weerawansa’s statement soon after the conclusion of the 2015 presidential election that Basil was the reason behind the defeat of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former President stated people were free and entitled to hold different opinions and that as people we should learn to respect those opinions.
“That is his view. However, we should learn to respect different opinions and learn from our mistakes,” he said.
Answering a question about his official residence in Colombo still not being allocated to him, Rajapaksa said that although the official residence he was entitled to have had not been given or offered to him, several other residences had been offered such as the Peacock Residence and that he would take a decision regarding an official residence in the future after considering the convenience factor.

A book launch where guest speakers said nothing about the book

Diplomat Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka and Western Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila were the guest speakers at the book launch of ‘Maha Weerawansaya’ written by Raja Dharmapala, but they failed to say anything noteworthy about the book or the author at the event.
The first copy of the book was presented to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Dharmapala.
During their speeches, the guest speakers chose to sing former President Rajapaksa’s praises instead of giving their views on the book or its author.
Dr. Jayatilleka addressing the gathering said that by any global measurement or international standards, Mahinda Rajapaksa was a hero and that in every hero’s tale, after the arrival of the hero, there was a downfall and a re-entry for the hero where victory was awaiting.
Meanwhile, Gammanpila said that President Rajapaksa had bigger obstacles than King Dutugemunu since during Dutugemunu’s period there were no foreign interferences as there were during Rajapaksa’s period.
“When there is a sickness, we have to look for a cure. Now the country will have to decide whether Chandrika who was not able to cure the sickness for 11 years, or Ranil who worsened the sickness, or Nimal Siripala de Silva who has never in his life given any medication for anything, can cure this sickness and save our country, or whether Mahinda Rajapaksa who once cured the sickness should come to power and treat the sickness again,” Gammanpila added.

SC dismisses petition against MR

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a Fundamental Rights petition filed by 2015 presidential candidate Duminda Nagamuwa against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The petition charged that the former President has allegedly violated the Provisions of the Civil Security Act by deploying Army personnel during the period of the presidential election and in polls on 8 January.

Pic by Lasantha Kumara