MR condemns Ranil’s imprisonment as political revenge

23 August 2025 03:16 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 40 Bookmark

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today expressed his disappointment over the imprisonment of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, describing it as an act of political revenge.

Speaking to the media after visiting Wickremesinghe at the Welikada Prison today, Rajapaksa said the former President appeared calm and unconcerned about his situation.

“As far as I see, Ranil Wickremesinghe does not care much about what has happened to him. In politics, we sometimes have to face these kinds of situations,” Rajapaksa noted.

He said it was unfair to imprison political leaders, especially former Presidents, over minor incidents.

“This is not right. It is wrong to imprison former Presidents who have held executive powers. Clearly, this is nothing more than an act of revenge by the present government,” he said.

Rajapaksa also urged the media to question the government’s actions and reflect public opinion.

“As leaders, we love the people, and in return, the people love us. That is why many came to see me when I faced challenges,” he added.

Comments - 40

Politics Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:27 PM

You will be next you have done more looting in billions than him and in the pretext of defeating LTTE you looted billions and bankrupted the country/ that is people went to alternative political force to see who is honest in government: at least NPP is honest and they don’t steal money as you did : they are working hard unlike your cohort : lazy and inept politicians you had with you : now we have a team of dynamic people : we know they don’t have that such of political experience but they are learning so quickly and they are honest : now Karma backfired on you and on your family due to all corruption you have done : Life is transparent by nature you can’t hide any good or bad things : good things have their karma as bad things have their karma: now you reap what you have done .

23 199

GM Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:37 PM

The nerve of MR!!! $50k fraud by Tamil on his private trip, that too at a time when the country was so short on foreign currency and people were dying and starving without the basic medication and food, is nothing to this criminal who had stolen and wasted billions of dollars

0 2

Priyan66 Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:38 PM

MR said it was unfair to imprison political leaders, - this is want people of the country want to change. All people should be equal in front of the law

11 198

Lion Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:02 PM

Well said Priyantha

9 102

melbournian Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:41 PM

MR should come and say what is minor and what is major... for them, 16.6m public money used for a private vacation is a minor incident, showing what their master mentality.

11 162

Jo Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:54 PM

Leaders should lead from front as Examples. Whether it is minor or major, law is the same. This is the change the genuine people expected. It is understandable people of the same caliber are getting panicked. Well orchestrated dramas at the courts premises.

10 132

Man Sunday, 24 August 2025 06:04 AM

But, Those 400 odd files that they brought before the elections, still at Palawaththa, kept in cupboards. Mount Lavinia courts issued arrest warrants on ministers Wasantha Samarasingha, Mahinda Jayasingha and Ranjanlal (Kaduwela Mayor) for making money by selling another person's property. But, still at large. The energy minister had been a suspended public officer under agriculture minister AKD and Chandrika, before 2005 over wasting public money. The government wanted to defend the rapist of that Kotahena child that led to her scucide after 5 months and action taken after protests of people and still at large . Samantha Vidyarathne, that person who yelled of a hole of Uma Oya, influences to re-employ a sacked person after dropping a case against that sacked employer, over corruption.

1 3

Man Sunday, 24 August 2025 06:04 AM

But, Those 400 odd files that they brought before the elections, still at Palawaththa, kept in cupboards. Mount Lavinia courts issued arrest warrants on ministers Wasantha Samarasingha, Mahinda Jayasingha and Ranjanlal (Kaduwela Mayor) for making money by selling another person's property. But, still at large. The energy minister had been a suspended public officer under agriculture minister AKD and Chandrika, before 2005 over wasting public money. The government wanted to defend the rapist of that Kotahena child that led to her scucide after 5 months and action taken after protests of people and still at large . Samantha Vidyarathne, that person who yelled of a hole of Uma Oya, influences to re-employ a sacked person after dropping a case against that sacked employer, over corruption.

0 0

Rip Winkle Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:54 PM

You can call it political revenge or anything that suits you, but the fact is that if you are caught committing a crime, you will have to pay for it. And that is why the police and judiciary exists. This rule applies to you too.

9 135

look who is talking Saturday, 23 August 2025 03:59 PM

Sorry MR, the law is the same for everybody now. The immunity to law only lasted when executive powers were held by that person, not after. The time when you, your family and friends were immune to all laws and raised hell is gone.

7 136

Rogue Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:06 PM

Former Presidents and politicians and their families are not above the law. When you commit a crime there's no minor or major crime. Any crime deserves to be suitability punished. Pointless being disappointed with the government because they don't use your play book of corruption and protection for corrupt mates.

6 136

Dr Tissa Fernando Saturday, 23 August 2025 07:48 PM

Only JVP has been above the law since the beginning.

3 1

Lion Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:07 PM

Present leader said very clearly at every meeting of presidential election , if he comes to power the law will be administered equally to everyone irrespective of the position and the social status. So he is doing it and one should not identify his action as revenge taking.

0 0

George Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:11 PM

Yes the law has prevailed. There is no different law for politicians and ordinary citizens. These politicians did not serve the people rather used the power to enrich themselves and their families. They deserve to be prisoned for crimes against the people. Justice has prevailed at last. Want to see more of them imprisoned

0 0

Gnanapala Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:12 PM

Then, what should be done for mis using public funds and power ? Leave them without any punishment? The will send a president to future leaders isn’t it?

0 0

Wagner Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:30 PM

Sorry you are next

0 0

BHAGYA Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:33 PM

LOOK WHO IS TALKING

0 0

Rafeek Saturday, 23 August 2025 04:43 PM

How is it a political revenge the courts had prooved faultiness.

0 0

Kumara Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:06 PM

If the President loots and take bribe what else you except from ordinary civil servants and traffic police and the like. MR and RW, you failed the nation by not setting an example. Hope AKD would be different to you, ex Presidents.

0 1

Spartacus Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:08 PM

So Presidents can commit minor offences while in Power? Can you define minor and major? For a person like me, Rs. 10,000 is major while Rs. 100 is minor. For you stealing 16 million is minor and stealing 16 billion is major, is that what your saying? So if you allow the criminal killing of one person while as President, it is minor but criminally killing 160 persons in one shot is major? This is why fellows like you should never be given power because you do not know the basic principles of disciplined governance. Swedish Prime Minister apologised for purchasing a cup of coffee and charging it officially, learn from them and not become a southern buffaloa.

0 2

Sam Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:11 PM

Can you please explain to is as a politician how you and your family members made so much money. Still some are hiding behind the curtain. We know names of these people. If you have taken public money you will never be able getaway with it, now face the consequences.

0 2

Grace Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:11 PM

Look, who is talking about political revenge? What did you do to SF?

0 2

Vadivelu Yogaratnam Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:24 PM

All passed politicians are responsible for the country's bankruptcy finally after nearly 74 years of independence Law begins to work under present goverment electèd by the majority people, government should not bow anykind of unfair protest by minority people supported by present politicians to save the criminals, they all have used public fun̈ds for their luxury life style left country in such desasterous state today however peaceful protest should be allowed democracy violence protest must not be tolerated such as destroying public properties in such case given security forces authority to open fire only deterrent.

0 0

Nihal Saturday, 23 August 2025 05:45 PM

You are correct. It is a minor incident compared to what you looted from us. Shut up and stay silent, your family looted our country. Is your wife getting ready?

0 1

Ylg Saturday, 23 August 2025 06:06 PM

I think Ranil is one of the better leaders in par with AKD. So they should go easy on Ranil and release him.

3 0

NS Saturday, 23 August 2025 06:42 PM

Law is applicable to all equally. Until NPP came to power, this was not the case and you politicians enjoyed immunity for all criminal cases. Now you see how it should work. How is Shiranthi doing? You can visit Welikada more often when her case is up for hearing.

0 1

Kalu Arachchi Saturday, 23 August 2025 06:59 PM

Does anyone remember how Gen.Sararh Fonseka was bundled to prisons for false charges?

0 2

Tony Fernando Saturday, 23 August 2025 07:14 PM

Do you think that justice will be better served if it was you rather him or is it the same?

0 0

Milroy Peter Saturday, 23 August 2025 08:46 PM

It’s not revenge it’s justice for the people who u robbed and lived lavish lifestyle it’s enough your next in the list

0 0

Daya Saturday, 23 August 2025 08:59 PM

16 Million in minor for MR. This shows how much he looted. I salute the NPP government and my vote is not wasted.

0 2

Pathmaranjan Saturday, 23 August 2025 09:03 PM

Former Politicians not above the law. How much money MR and his clan robbed from this country. You all have to face to Justice one day. I see yesterday highly corrupted politicians visiting RW. They are all want to unite against this good governance existing now. God bless Sri Lanka.

0 3

Rohini Wijetilleke Saturday, 23 August 2025 09:08 PM

MR is boasting about his popularity. Wasn't he running away and in hiding when the people showed how unhappy they were, with him?. As you sow you reap either in this world or the next. Let's hope , it is in the near future .

0 1

Easo Saturday, 23 August 2025 09:25 PM

We have good legal professionals like Shirani. B now. No more Sarath N Silva's. Please understand that sir

0 1

ACL Saturday, 23 August 2025 10:46 PM

It is very evident that MR is deranged. What he has said is laughable and is a clear indicator of his ignorance.. Presidents who abused executive powers, filled their coffers and bankrupted a nation - should NOT be imprisoned??? Really? What should we do then? Salute them??? We love the people??? What a f.....king joke!

0 1

Yogeswaran Sunday, 24 August 2025 03:07 AM

Why do all these ex politicians call "it is political revenge" What did you guys do to NPP for them to take revenge.? There was only one seat available in the parliament for JVP/NPP in the previous cabinets. All these years, it was the elite group who governed the country. There were special privileges to all friends and relatives of these groups. Now a down to earth man from an ordinary family has become the President. You guys just cannot swallow as to what is happening. I think, in general the public except their hardened followers would like to see all these elite groups and their relatives are stripped of all their looted wealth and enjoy a very safe place to live, in Jail.

0 1

Nihal V Sunday, 24 August 2025 03:36 AM

This guy has looted billions from our people, starting from Tsunami Aid. This is why he says that the amount involved in Ranil case is minor.

0 3

Herman Perera Sunday, 24 August 2025 04:09 AM

If the Country had Honest Politicians these things would never have happened. They were so corrupt that the people realised they wanted a change.

0 0

Dr Soori Maripalan Sunday, 24 August 2025 05:35 AM

Why did you shout against him and demanded in the past to imprison him and Arjuna! Now why you are talking from the back with your group! Do you have a back and a front? People do not trst and belive the words of any of the opposition parties! See the past slogans against RW!

0 2

Ramesh Sunday, 24 August 2025 07:38 AM

What do you call when you put Sarath Fonseka behind bars? Is that not a political revenge? Don't spill your words, it may come after you.

0 2

Joshua Sunday, 24 August 2025 11:02 AM

We are waiting for your journey to the jail. Do not talk nonsense.

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