JO rejects President’s allegations

2 June 2018 08:07 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In response to President Maithripala Sirisena’s speech on Wednesday, May 31, the Joint Opposition said allegations made with regard to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa were unfounded.

Issuing a statement, its national organizer Dullas Alahapperuma said President’s allegations were rejected in the strongest possible terms.

He said the President made certain allegations against his predecessor with regard to the use of a helicopter in the aftermath of his defeat, taking all security vehicles assigned to the Presidential Secretariat, and explosive detectors, and influencing investigations into the killing of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen.

The statement said Mr Rajapaksa realized his impending defeat by 2.00 a.m. on January 9, following the Presidential Election in 2015, and got ready to leave his office despite advice by some of his close associates that he could stay there till the new President took the oath.

Mr Alahapperuma said Mr Rajapaksa displayed his statesmanship and vacated his office.

He said Mr Rajapaksa used a helicopter for the purpose as the President, who could stay in power till the new President was sworn in.

“In this exercise, he did not contact any official yet to be appointed. He took the decision as the then Head of State. After ten hours of Mr Rajapaksa leaving his office, President Sirisena was sworn in. Therefore, President’s allegations about the unlawful use of helicopter were baseless,” he said.

He said Mr Rajapaksa retained only the security detail and vehicles required for him in keeping with threat assessment.

Referring to the allegations that explosive detectors were taken away, he said it was a total falsehood.

He said President Sirisena did not carry out any investigation into it for the last three-and-half-years if there were any.

Commenting on allegations regarding the killing of Wasim Thajudeen, he said it was proverbially similar to the festering wound of a beggar.

He said the Government could not complete investigations leading to the connection on this issue, and therefore various allegations had been fabricated and circulated in the social media.

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Comments - 14

Man Saturday, 02 June 2018 08:32 AM

Why don't the JO send a representative for a debate, if the President is a liar, particularly when he is ready? Declining means, as usual, the President is quite correct.

Malini Saturday, 02 June 2018 01:59 PM

But, MAN how can anyone , even the depraved JO debate with a demented clown?

Man Monday, 04 June 2018 08:49 AM

Why do you want to back away if you have any true facts to make him a clown or any body else? Excuses won't make your comments true, particularly when he is ready for a live debate. Has this group come for any debate, any time? Never and run away.

Thanga Saturday, 02 June 2018 08:46 AM

The "accidental" killing of Wasim Thajudeen was no accident. It was a planned murder by Namal/Yositha Rajapaksa. Investigations were deliberately botched and filed closed calling it an accidental death. This is only of many murders committed by the Rajapaksa government. Others are Lasantha and Eknaligoda. .

johan Saturday, 02 June 2018 08:51 AM

Over to you Thalatha regarding the delay of Thajudeen murder case. Three and half years completed since thebody exhumed for investigation.Those involved are freely moving

Nelum Fernando Saturday, 02 June 2018 09:13 AM

Again and again, Mr President keeps proving that he does not remember what he said yesterday.

Realist Saturday, 02 June 2018 09:47 AM

Wonder why your government couldn't complete the investigation into the ruggerite's death.

Arthur Saturday, 02 June 2018 09:48 AM

Comments in the media by civilians, at the time, showed evidence of Thajudeen's incident was not an accident but an arranged one. His purse being found a kilometre away was also known. If MR was not culpable, why was not it investigated thoroughly? Why did the police insist it was an accident? Why did not the JMO give his report? JO, instead of denying clarify the above issues.

johan Saturday, 02 June 2018 12:15 PM

That's what before WR was behind the scene and the case was got dragged nor Justice Minister Thalathamust finish the case

Orpheus Saturday, 02 June 2018 10:48 AM

New President should take his office in a ceremonial manner where the keys to office and other responsibilities hand over to the New President by the outgoing president. This is so ugly that the old president go away without handing over to new president. PM's position is different because there is the executive president to take the keys from the out going PM and hand over to new PM in another ceremony. When are we going to be civilized?

Haramanis Saturday, 02 June 2018 01:36 PM

People - its a real pity that the Thajuddin case has been turned into a political football. In the midst of all this are the thriving rumor mongers and peddlars of gossip. Feel really sad that the Thajuddin family is being dragged through all of this nonsense.

TONY Saturday, 02 June 2018 01:44 PM

JO IS A COMPANY HEADED BY MR, THAT WAS INVOLVED IN DICTATING THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY. IT WAS A TEAM WORK WHERE ALL RECEIVED BENEFITS/DIVIDENDS. THAT IS WHY THEY STILL KEEP TOGETHER TO PROTECT A CLEAN IMAGE OF THAT COMPANY EVEN THOUGH THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY KNOWS HOW MUCH OF POOR PEOPLES MONEY THEY HAVE ROBBED

Gamaya Saturday, 02 June 2018 01:53 PM

Onna bole Sira thaniwela!

faizer Saturday, 02 June 2018 03:10 PM

I think sending a comment also waste of time and money. General public read these news and comments and not politicians. If they are reading the country will be in deep high. Wonder of Asia.

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JO rejects President’s allegations

Comments - 14

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