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21 May 2018 12:03 pm - 45 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on Sunday said Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera was spreading false propaganda against him because the minister was aware of his ability.
He recalled how Minister Samaraweera pasted posters against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the time of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
“Recently, Minister Samaraweera said he knew Mr. Wickremesinghe could perform well and that was why he pasted posters against Mr.Wickremesinghe. Similarly, he has initiated a false propaganda campaign against me and I can say this is because he knows I can,” Mr. Rajapaksa told an event organised by the Federation of National Organisations in Badulla.
He said the minister’s special statement which said Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was the most corrupt and dangerous government official and should not be brought to power had been issued amid many crises on the economic front.
“The government has increased taxes and the prices of essential items. There is no development in any sector. Businessmen and entrepreneurs are going through a difficult time while local and foreign investors get discouraged. Minister Samaraweera who is responsible for these, issues a special statement about me. When he was the Foreign Minister, he went to Geneva and co-sponsored a resolution against the country even without informing the President. After he was appointed Finance Minister, taxes were imposed as per the needs of the IMF and the cost of living increased. Without replying to these issue, he uses his old Goebbels theory, thinking that people can be taken for a ride. We need to oust selfish politicians and elect those who can work for the betterment of the country,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.
He said Minister Samaraweera approached him several weeks prior to the presidential election in 2014 with the intention of joining then president Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“In 2014, two weeks before calling for nominations for the presidential elections, an associate of Mr. Samaraweera named Ruwan Ferdinandez phoned me and said he wants to meet me. He said I have to bring all elements together to strengthen Mahinda Rajapaksa for the presidential election. He said Mangala Samaraweera is ready work with me to join the government, to which I replied saying I’m a secretary and therefore, Mr. Samaraweera should contact president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Then, Mr. Ferdinandez said I’m the most reliable person in the then government and the arrangements should be made with my intervention. I said I will inform the President but the rest is up to him and Mr. Samaraweera. After that, discussions were held between president Rajapaksa and Mr. Samaraweera who requested the ministerial portfolios of Foreign and Justice. Another set of meetings were held with Basil Rajapaksa and another friend of Mr. Samaraweera submitted their requirements in writing. The then president rejected the request and therefore, Mangala went against Mahinda Rajapaksa. These kind of politicians have no principles and their concern is their own benefit and not the country. At the end of 2014, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was the most reliable person in the government and was ready to work with him in order to join that government. Today, statements are being issued saying Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is the most corrupt out of the fear that I would come to power. These politicians put personal needs first and they attempt to retain power by any means. We know this person was a minister in many governments.What did he do? I have done more than him during the two and half years I was given to develop Colombo,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.
He said the previous government didn’t keep pointing fingers at people or locked horns with political opponents.
“We had work to do. We didn't keep blaming the Opposition or fight with political opponents. We were fighting with the ruthless terrorists who killed innocent civilians and damaged properties,” he said.
He said what the country requires at the moment is a team who can work efficiently, identify policies and challenges in order to create polices to face those challenges.
“We shouldn't wait until the last moment to create policies after coming to power,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.
Meanwhile, he said the government keeps opening projects almost completed by the previous government in order to score points.
He also said there is no national security in the country today. “The country should be stable and the security should be established in order to develop the country. Otherwise, no investor will come to Sri Lanka,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)
Stunned Citizen Monday, 21 May 2018 12:08 PM
Have you given up your US Citizenship?
K. Karuppan Kandiah Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:56 AM
How can he give up? Like Basil he should have it ready to jump over to US, after losing the Presidential elections.
Bandara Tuesday, 22 May 2018 09:45 PM
And his election symbol is NOT lotus bud but a WHITEVAN.
Ceylon Monday, 21 May 2018 12:10 PM
What can ??.he kept sayi g allways never come to politics.now what is telling.
Dhammika Monday, 21 May 2018 12:16 PM
Its NOT false propaganda . White vans , abductions and dissappearences happened during your regime ! .
R.K.D. Reymond Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:42 AM
Yes its 200% true and this man Gotta is responsible for everything.
Kadupol Jothywansa Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:45 AM
Yes Gotta is a criminal (IRC) though he wears tie and coat.
Waco Monday, 21 May 2018 12:18 PM
Ava-Mangala is a write off.
ANTON Monday, 21 May 2018 12:24 PM
WHAT THIS REMINDS ME IS .... " THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES AT OTHERS"
punchi Monday, 21 May 2018 03:23 PM
more correctly, those living in glass houses should not undress with lights on!
mike Monday, 21 May 2018 12:25 PM
sir please argue with people of your intellect. why do u need to waste time with a useless guy. you were the architect of war victory. what has this guy done ? where are the new investors which he
Banis Mama Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:48 AM
Hay Mike, Mangala is right he knows Gotta better than you, please don't utter nonsense.
Dennis Reeves Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:50 AM
Are you living in SriLanka or in Etheophea Mr. Mike.
ANTON Monday, 21 May 2018 12:27 PM
THOSE DAYS A MICE SHOUTED AT CATS AFTER CONSUMING TODDY, NOW IT SEEMS TO BE DRINKING WHISKY AND CHALLENGING LIONS..........
Carlton Servant Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:53 AM
True, both Mangala and Gotta are heavy drinkers, but they cannot beat Mahinda he drinks one and a half bottle whisky daily. (all from looted funds)
Lankan007 Monday, 21 May 2018 12:27 PM
Yes we know you can abduct people in white van
VJ Monday, 21 May 2018 01:07 PM
To hold public office a person will require more than competency; integrity, credibility and honesty. The project he has started is to whitewash his crimes. With the newly established special courts, I am sure the people will know the truth. He would be better off going back to the US and continue doing what he does best. He is worried the long arm of the law will come after him. Entering politics is not by choice but a necessacity.
Haramanis Monday, 21 May 2018 03:10 PM
Dear VJ. Please hold your breath.
JIM Monday, 21 May 2018 01:15 PM
Yes, you can.
Buddhi Perera Monday, 21 May 2018 01:30 PM
Not only Mangala, everybody knows what your capabilities are.
Gamaya Monday, 21 May 2018 03:01 PM
Hello Mr Gota. Will you first clarify with the people as to which country your unqualified loyalty lies. Is it to Sri Lanka or the USA. The oath you have taken in the US says it is to the USA. So why try to make fools of us Sri Lankans to who this is our ONLY home.
Jiffry Monday, 21 May 2018 03:01 PM
Yes we haven’t forgotten what you did when you all were in power Once you praised the Army Commander for winning after he entered politics you sent him to jail you are a worse person than Hitler
charlie Tuesday, 22 May 2018 09:54 PM
you can but in this incident you were short-sighted
Hubert Monday, 21 May 2018 03:05 PM
Public opinion is reflected in these comments those who value democracy know what a nasty fellow you were
Sumit Thursday, 24 May 2018 06:46 AM
This a an anti Rajapaksa news paper and they dont publish anything pro rajapaksa. Go to youtube if you want to see public opinion.
Banda Monday, 21 May 2018 03:23 PM
I love it, Chopping pig meat on pigs back is the way forward.
Bharana Monday, 21 May 2018 03:25 PM
A person who has done nothing ... fabricating false propaganda to discredit someone who has already proven himself. Another creation of the man who fabricated the January 9th coup story. Stop Talking and Pointing finger at others. At least do someting in the little time remaining.
punchinilame Monday, 21 May 2018 03:27 PM
He is being financed by China and he will give away hisGreen Card at the correct time I guess. Moragoda in Chinais his Agent. The Special Courts will take up his issue late,as MS "plans" his hopper dinner again!!!
parakum Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:26 AM
Repeat of similar to Avangarde saga in Mega scale?
As Tuesday, 22 May 2018 08:29 AM
Mal Sara is a well known liar.
Ken James Tuesday, 22 May 2018 09:12 AM
Gota is the right man to be the next president.If he was corrupt this government or US government would have put him in Jail. Many people in Colombo wants him back. YES GOTA FOR PRESIDENT
naylor Tuesday, 22 May 2018 10:09 AM
Ken I am sure your kids ate settled in some safe democratic foreign country and you are not worried of the possibility of them being visited by a a white van
Sach Tuesday, 22 May 2018 09:42 AM
What a reply to that Awamangala
Jude Tuesday, 22 May 2018 09:43 AM
Gota, because you Renounced your SL citizenship!! You're ineligible to contest to the presidency of SL !!
Jude Tuesday, 22 May 2018 09:55 AM
Hey Gota, before the next presidential elections, amendment to constitution will kill your aspirations to become President of SL!! Yeah, anyone Renounced SL citizenship will be ineligible to contest!! In other words, your campaign is over before it began!!! Gota you are in pickle!!!??
gamini Tuesday, 22 May 2018 10:10 AM
can these so called 'patriotic" family give up their US citizenship if they love this country so much
alex Tuesday, 22 May 2018 10:24 AM
Avante Grade, BBS, White van, family rule, CBN... we don't want to go down that again
TONY Tuesday, 22 May 2018 02:00 PM
ADD - THAJUDEEN, EKNALIGODA ETC
pradeep Tuesday, 22 May 2018 10:25 AM
can Gota declare his wealth and assets in US if he wants to stand for election
monkey Tuesday, 22 May 2018 11:49 PM
GOTA, you are not a SRI LANKAN to talk about our country. You went USA for better future. You returned to our country after your brother came to power. Before you started talking about our country please relinguish your USA citizenship.
True Sri Lankan Thursday, 24 May 2018 05:24 PM
He is the best Sri Lankan Politician we ever had. He is a true Sri Lankan than the one's in the current cabinet. He fought for our country and gave our country and got it back from a ruthless terrorist group. Because of him we have our Sri Lanka. Please come back as a leader, we will all bow to you.
Nuwan Wednesday, 23 May 2018 11:30 AM
Yes we know that you cold rob, kill, abduct and commit all crimes as long as your brother was in power. Now you are are a suspect and under investigations.
Tmam Thursday, 24 May 2018 06:52 AM
Is this comments are published in Sirikotha
NIR Friday, 25 May 2018 08:55 AM
That meant Samaraweera had thougt Ranil Wickramasinghe can make better country to us. Now he is thinking same for Gotabaya Rajapakase. So should we jump to the same pit again., I mean should we choose again a choice Samaraweera .. lol
pranee Friday, 25 May 2018 03:12 PM
when I hear his name, I feel scared. they have no conscience,
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