Video: I was warned not to talk of corruption: Maithri

Stating that he fought against corruption while being in the present government, the common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena today revealed that he was warned by state hierarchy for taking up such a struggle.

Addressing a rally organised by the Purawesi Balaya at Hyde Park last evening, Mr. Sirisena said he once cautioned the government on the corruption charges it faced with regard to road construction but the state top brass warned him saying he should not talk about corruption in the government. “I was told that I should not do the job of the Opposition,’ he said.

Coming out with more inside stories in the recent past, Mr. Sirisena said he and UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha were also warned for intervening and calming the two parties involved in the clash where presidential advisor Baratha Lakshman Premachandra was killed.

Reassuring that he would abolish the executive presidency, Mr. Sirisena said he would not even walk in to the presidential palace even if he wins the presidential election.

UNP National leader and Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe in his speech reiterated that a national government would be formed after the presidential election while it would be better to continue with a multi-party government even after the general election.

Democratic Party Leader Sarath Fonseka said he will go to any international courts to defend the forces. But he said the rulers of the country today should take care of themselves when it comes to other human right violations.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said some of the development work which this regime boasts of were planned and started during her regime. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardene)