Former President Gotabaya has the right to return to the nation - SJB MP Ajith P. Perera

But he should be tried for allegations of misuse of funds

• “No one can deny this right”

By Yohan Perera  

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has the right to return to the nation, but he should be tried for allegations of misuse of funds as he no longer enjoys legal immunity, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday.  

SJB CEO Ajith P. Perera told a press conference yesterday that the former President has the right to return to the nation. “Mr. Rajapaksa is a citizen of this country and he has a right to return to his motherland. No one can deny this right, however he should be tried for allegations of misuse of funds,” Mr. Perera said.  

“There was a case against him for allegedly spending state funds for his parent’s monument. These cases should resume and also indictments should be filed against other charges. It is possible to try him and penalize him if found guilty as he does not enjoy a legal immunity as per the constitution,” he said.  

Also the former MP said SJB opposes the cabinet paper which has been presented by the Prime Minister to pay compensation worth more than Rs. 100 million to high ranking state offices who complained of political victimization during the Yahapalana government. 

• It is possible to try him and penalize him if found guilty as he does not enjoy a legal immunity as per the constitution