Using force is one mistake we made during our regime: Namal

• Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala who responded at that time said those who killed various persons such as Lasantha Wickramatunga and Thajudeen cannot find fault with others

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Highlighting that incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has allegedly expressed his desire to use force to evict his father former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from his official residence, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday said his party has suffered dire consequences of using force when in power.   
“We tried to use force during our regime and we have suffered consequences of it today. We have learnt from our mistakes. We accept our faults. You don’t seem to be ready to confess to your mistakes and learn from them,” Mr. Rajapaksa told the ruling party MPs in Parliament yesterday.   

The House became noisy when MPs from both sides began to shout at each other after Mr. Rajapaksa referred to another remark made by the President that security forces are carrying out killings with stolen weapons. “This is a country and the President cannot come up with irresponsible statements,” he said.   
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala who responded at that time said those who killed various persons such as Lasantha Wickramatunga and Thajudeen cannot find fault with others.   
Mr. Rajapaksa then alleged that police are getting bus drivers and three-wheeler drivers to remove various parts from their respective vehicles and give them back when the vehicle owners pay for them. He said these are the types of activities which are carried out under the Clean Sri Lanka programme today. The Clean Sri Lanka programme should be similar to the Clean America programme and Clean Singapore programme and should have clear objectives,” he said in this regard.