As a US citizen, I can't accept PM’s post: Gota

13 February 2018 07:04 am - 46 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who returned yesterday to Sri Lanka from the US, said he could not accept the Prime Ministerial portfolio because he was an American citizen.

He said this when asked by the journalists at the Airport whether he would accept the Post of Prime Minister if it was offered by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

“I can't. I am an American citizen. So I cannot accept that portfolio. Besides, who wants to become a Prime Minister in a scenario such as what exists today,” he said and added that he had still not decided to enter politics.

Commenting on the results of local government elections, he said everyone has come to realize former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s value.

“He made a great contribution to the country. Some people were misled about his achievements. After three years, they have realised that they have been misled. Therefore, people have shown that they need a Mahinda Rajapaksa administration,” the former defence secretary said.

When asked about any of former president’s political decisions, the former defence secretary said it was up to the former president.

Meanwhile, he rejected the allegations levelled against him on the Avant Garde issue by the Presidential Commission.

“There is nothing new about these allegations. The Commission does not even know what Avant Garde is,” Mr. Rajapaksa said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 46

Citizen Perera Tuesday, 13 February 2018 08:30 AM

Patriotic US Citizen...

Motorist Wednesday, 14 February 2018 11:37 AM

Thankfully, white vans will not go up in price.

Bobby Pereira Tuesday, 13 February 2018 08:44 AM

We salute you Mr. Gotabhaya. If not for you, that megalomaniac Prabhakaran would still be killing innocent Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim people of Sri Lanka and playing havoc. We wish you all the best.

Freddy Yong Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:18 PM

Go tell it to the birds, you prick.

Mali Tuesday, 13 February 2018 03:55 PM

Yes we want you. We want white van, we want all journalists eliminated or deported, we want to sell arms to the pirates, we want more drug dealers please.

Asanka Tuesday, 13 February 2018 08:50 AM

අපි නම් ඔබතුමා එනවට අසය් බයය්

sunanda Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:04 AM

who in the first place offered you the PM post. It is not for your taking. Trying winning an election first

alex Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:05 AM

he can be a PM only if his brother is the President

ralahamy Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:06 AM

The reporters are asking silly questions to prove that this man is stupid. It is the Sri Lankan voters who decide about casting votes and electing a leader.The answer should have been, " I don't know, it is in the hands of the voters." period.

Mohan Tuesday, 13 February 2018 01:51 PM

He can become an MP through national list and become PM isn't it?

ME Wednesday, 14 February 2018 12:55 PM

He does not have to be the PM but was even powerful than the brother president.

dulan Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:08 AM

47% voted for MR in Jan 2015 in Feb 42% voted for the party he gave leadership. Hence where is the shift in people as stated by Gota?

Eds Tuesday, 13 February 2018 02:55 PM

Wow, some interpretational skills ....

Jaffna Logic Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:21 AM

What is puzzling is the absolute silence being maintained by the only Field Marshal in the post independence history of Sri Lanka .His party is suddenly outflanked, it needs counter moves for a possible assault or find a direction in which escape is possible with all men and material.

Gamaya Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:36 AM

First say whether the position was offerred to you and if so by whom. Dont be presumptious Mr Secretary.

alam Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:40 AM

First of all who offered him the PM post?yes everybody knows that him and his brother Basil are US citizens therefore they both cant even think about it now.

Mm Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:42 AM

Man who made our city beautiful. The parks we walk in, the tracks we jog on, the pavement we walk on and the roads we highways we drive on. He has a vision to make our country in par with other developed countries. But our nation is always critisising and scolding but using all what u helped achieve

REEZ Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:10 PM

Could have done more if they not looted public money. Do you think he did not profited from those payments and parks.

Prasad Wednesday, 14 February 2018 03:38 PM

He is the best person to run this country. Just see what a lot of work he did when he was the defense secretary. He did less talk and more work. Now we see more talking with no out come. As far as Looting of money and property nothing has proved so far for the past 3 years.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:55 AM

If you left this country and sought citizenship of another country, you should not be meddling in the affairs of your former country and running away to your newly found preferred nation whenever things are not good.

Eds Tuesday, 13 February 2018 02:55 PM

Who led the war effort? Was it your grandmother?

Prasad Wednesday, 14 February 2018 03:40 PM

Tell that to our famous diaspora

Vignes Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:59 AM

I thought you don't like western style human rights but seen to you enjoying western style human rights and will to take away from sri lanks.

redflame Tuesday, 13 February 2018 11:56 AM

You are a person with vision. The contribution to finish the war, Developments done in Kotte and Colombo, restructuring independence arcade and many other old buildings has contributed so much for country. Even the Business of Avant Garde was a real success. You are person in the caliber of Late Lee Quan Yu of Singapore and Dr Mahathir Mohammad of Malaysia. How you tackle Basil, Namal and all other former ministers around former president MR is the question. Will they continue from where they stopped? With your vision you are the only leader who can take country to next level.

dulan Tuesday, 13 February 2018 07:51 PM

Why he is also so peaceful like Gandhi !

Prasad Wednesday, 14 February 2018 03:42 PM

Fully agreed

Don Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:03 PM

Can a US citizen hold the position of Defense sec? If so whats wrong in appointing Mahendran at CB... i dont understand the logic and bit confused.. does our constitution says that another citizen can hold the defense sec?? Cheers

sanka Tuesday, 13 February 2018 02:00 PM

Nothing wrong of appointing Mahendran, the only problem is he was helping to looting the money rather than helping. Where is Gotabhaya did his job well.

Eds Tuesday, 13 February 2018 02:57 PM

GR is a dual citizen where as Mahendran wasn't and plus GR did his job well whereas Mahendran went south within two weeks of being appointed. Comprender?

Ceylon Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:06 PM

Teach lankans how to make billions from rp 100,000 per month job.

Eds Tuesday, 13 February 2018 02:57 PM

Ask RW and RK

sp Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:07 PM

Means he cant contest for the Presidential elections 2020, as lot of people expect ?

Ceylon Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:08 PM

In america cant earn billions by ileagal commisions and bribes.so making billions from lanka and spend in america.thats why america gave you citizenship.

Dhammika Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:15 PM

So the next dream is to make an AMERICAN the PM of Sri Lanka.So the village folks can proudly boost that the PM of SL is an AMERICAN . What a Shame ! .

lankaman Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:19 PM

So he doesn't want to give up US citizenship even for SL premiership! What a patriot

nazrey Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:35 PM

Even after 9 year winning the war. . i dont understand why the people are still in war mood.

pawul family Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:37 PM

if so, you get back to your own country. Why you try to involve in sri lanka and make blunder everything with your brothers and fawul family ah?

Sri Lankan Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:43 PM

Thank God you are American.. Not a Sri Lankan

Ceylon Tuesday, 13 February 2018 08:39 PM

Stupid politicians in america made that country bankrupt.usa has$ 20 trillion debts.now usa need money.they wellcome any theives with billions.

Senaratne Tuesday, 13 February 2018 02:59 PM

To the GR haters in here : There is a time n place for everything. Wait n c!

Sarath Tuesday, 13 February 2018 03:11 PM

You can't be PM or even an MP cos you are a dual citizen with loyalty to USA. Don't meddle in lankan affairs. Besides you couldn't be PM anyway cos you are not an MP!

Godamba roti Tuesday, 13 February 2018 03:48 PM

How did he become the defence Secretary if Arjun mahendran is not qualified to be the cb governor

Neil Tuesday, 13 February 2018 05:29 PM

There is something behind his sudden visit to SL

SL Tuesday, 13 February 2018 06:01 PM

if Gota comes to Prez,I'll support his campaign.He has a vision for this country not like other morons .let alone MR

Gajaba Wednesday, 14 February 2018 03:38 PM

It is clear that there are a lot of UNP nutcases commenting on this article scared of Gota already!!! Haha hahah haaaa, no one can stop Gota coming into power!

suranga duminda herath Wednesday, 14 February 2018 03:44 PM

it must be controlled

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As a US citizen, I can't accept PM’s post: Gota

Comments - 46

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