(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Former President Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa today claimed that the public has voiced their strong opinion against the proposed constitution by attending the Nugegoda rally in numbers.
A large crowd gathered in Nugegoda to participate in the public rally organized by the so-called Joint Opposition aimed at overthrowing the government.
The rally was held at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in protest of several issues including the enactment of a new Constitution by the government.
Addressing the gathering, Former President Rajapaksa said the government has failed to fulfil its promises. The former President said the present administration promised to abolish the executive presidency however noted that it has now backtracked from the stance.
He stressed that the public attended the Nugegoda rally to notify the government to scrap the proposed constitution.
The Former President said the present administration pledged to abolish the executive presidency and strengthened the parliament.
MP Rajapaksa however said that the government has now proposed something entirely new.
Former President Rajapaksa speaking to the gathering said they acknowledge issue should be resolved through discussions. He said therefore his group called on the government for discussion pertaining to the new constitution.
Former President Rajapaksa also charged that the government is continuing to borrow in billions however said tangible progress have not been made. He said the government has borrowed 10,500 billion rupees in loans so far.
Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa said corruption has increased rapidly in the past two years. He said under a future government all perpetrators will be punished.
MP Rajapaksa added, “When we form a new government in the future, we will confiscate all ill-gotten money. We will hand them to the public. So they cannot keep that money. Corruption has increased. I think it is our duty to work legally. What about the cost of living? The public cannot bear this burden.”
On a separate note, Former President Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he was forced out of political retirement.
The former President attributed his re-emergence to the actions of President Maithripala Sirisena.
He said, “When they see this crowd they will be in tears. I left Temple Trees to retire from politics. But several leaders wanted me to return by staging a rally in Nugegoda. I also wanted to clear state that actions of President Maithripala Sirisena also forced me out of retirement.”