Chandrika split the party and I formed a new party: MR

"I protected the Sri Lanka Freedom Party when Chandrika split the party and I formed a new political party. She should act wisely at this political situation," said the Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

Speaking at a party meeting organised by Matale SLFP District Leader MP Lakshman Wasantha Perera and held in Nalanda - Nandana Wattha in Matale he said "Chandrika claiming to save the SLFP recently signed an MoU with the UNP and betrayed the party trying to divide it."

However SLFPers did not follow her. Her betrayal of the party led to the emergence of the new party SLPP. Today we the SLPP and SLFP are together again despite Chandrika's effort to split the party. MP Wasantha is a prominent leader in this unity, he said.

Speaking further Mahinda Rajapaksa said Gotabaya was selected as the presidential candidate on agreement with various organisations as he was capable to develop the country. He will find solutions to the problems of the country.

Our two parties work together and devoted to the victory of Gotabaya as witnessed from this mass rally.

Parliamentarian Susil Premajayantha said Gotabaya’s policy statements clearly show that people will be relieved of the tax burden hindering them.

MP Wasantha Perera said no one can destroy SLFP and expressed the hope that Gotabaya becomes the President on 17 and then Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister.  (M.W. Somarathna and Indika Aruna Kumara)