Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday said that political observers will be keenly watching the next step of former President Maithripala Sirisena who intends to get into Parliament through the backdoor using the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to gain votes.
The Minister was addressing the SLPP Kantha Bala Mandalaya in Biyagama yesterday.
He said that the Ranil-Maithree Yahapalana government was the darkest and most unsuccessful chapter in the Sri Lankan political history.
“It is the responsibility of the people to elect a strong government ensuring the conducive environment for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to work for the people and the country. The very people who were responsible in leading the country towards destruction are now pretending like gentlemen,” he added.
“Sri Lanka is fortunate to have a brave President like Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Even though former President Sirisena pretended that he was the simplest President, he had about 2,700 staff members. But President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reduced the number of his staff from 1,200 to 200 while limiting the number of his official vehicles. However, so called the simplest President later owned a luxury house worth Rs. 800 million. President Gotabaya is living in his own house. Maithripala Sirisena who criticised Pohottuwa earlier is now contesting under the Pohottuwa symbol. He is now trying to enter Parliament using the SLPP. However, we are vigilant of his behaviour and public statements,” he added.
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