Compelled to use vote against my conscience: Bathiudeen

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday said he has been compelled to use his vote against his conscience when it came to the no-confidence motion against the government.

“I have been compelled to use my vote when it comes to the no-confidence motion because of the pledge I have made that we will not allow this government to fall, when I gave up my ministerial portfolio,” Minister Bathiudeen said during the debate on the no-confidence motion against the government in the House last afternoon.

Mr. Bathiudeen said some opposition MPs made unfair allegations against him. “The Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa is fully aware of me as I worked under his government,” he said.

“At the same time, I am grateful to MP S. B. Dissanayake who had lodged a complaint against me with the police. At least I can face the inquiry and prove my innocence,” he added.

He said some Sinhalese extremists are making hate speech which is against Buddhism. “Some say Dr. Safi, who has been accused of sterilising women against their wish, should be stoned. Does Buddhism teach to stone people?” he asked. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)