Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa while wishing well for the newly formed national government said he will not choose to ridicule the move, unlike the UNP that made a mockery out of the concept when he proposed a similar move during the conflict period.
Speaking to media during an event in Matara yesterday, MR said he does not wish to comment on current political decisions since he has now taken a ‘rest’ from politics.
However, he said that he will not resort to ridicule the newly formed national government between the SLFP and the UNP. “When I proposed the same system and invited the UNP to join during the conflict period, they ridiculed me and took my invitation for a joke. But I will not resort to make such a response . . .I wish them luck,” he said.
Pygmalion / March 23, 2015
When Mahinda Rajapakse says Good Luck there is something brewing.
Beware! There is danger ahead!
/
Sylvia Haik / March 23, 2015
Sadly, I agree with you Pygmalion. Mahinda Rajapapakse is much too unscrupulous, devious and cunning for him not to be making capital while the government is running around like headless chickens. A coalition of parties without an effective oposition is a prescription for a calamity and the Rajapakses must be wringing their hands.
/
punchinilame / March 24, 2015
MR is truly supportive of MS – because he is fully aware of this story too!
By Suresh Perera – Island
“With President Maithripala Sirisena’s revelation to Sandeshaya, BBC’s Sinhala Service in London, that there were plans to “destroy his whole family” if he lost the presidential poll, political sources recalled how the then common candidate was escorted under cover of darkness to an estate owned by a close friend in the Kurunegala district.
President Maithripala Sirisena during the BBC Interview
President Maithripala Sirisena during the BBC Interview: youtu.be
Just days after the January 8 presidential election, The Sunday Island learnt how the drama unfolded at Dodangaslanda, a sleepy village at the far end of Kurunegala bordering the Matale district, but political sources politely declined to discuss details as the President himself had not referred to the episode earlier.
During his recent visit to London, President Sirisena told BBC Sandeshaya’s Saroj Pathirana in an interview that he wouldn’t know whether he and family would be alive today if the elections favoured the other side. “That was the democracy the Rajapaksas practiced. I know that only too well, he said.
On the day of the poll, Sirisena had cast his vote at Polonnaruwa and decided to leave home to a secret destination as there were credible reports that he and his family could be harmed if they remained in a location which could be easily traced after the outcome of the election was announced the following day (January 9), the sources recounted.
As darkness fell, the convoy of vehicles cut across Dambulla and headed towards a coconut plantation at Dodangaslanda owned by Kiran Atapattu, a close friend of Sirisena. The village was asleep as the black BMW vehicle carrying the common candidate approached the estate, the sources said.
Not leaving anything to chance, the vehicle snaked its way in pitch darkness along the narrow dark road leading to the sprawling plantation. The other vehicles in the convoy were halted at a point en route to prevent information of the exact location leaking out and also to ensure the villagers were not alerted, they recalled.
Later, some other vehicles deemed “safe” sneaked up the estate road one by one and spread out to be parked under some coconut trees. Every possible precaution was taken to prevent word getting around, which, the sources explained, could have endangered the life of the common candidate and his family, if the worse came to the worst.
“After dinner, Sirisena, accompanied by his wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari and children Daham, Chathurika and Dharani, son-in-law Thilina and grandchildren, relaxed as news of the vote count filtered through.
Many were the calls that came through and some officials kept him abreast of the developments in Colombo, the sources said.
There were many who asked him where he was, to which he replied “Polonnaruwa”. Concerned about him remaining in his North Central province home base, he was advised to move to a safer location as there were reports of a sudden build up of troops in Colombo, they noted. “The situation was becoming increasingly tense as reports of a possible coup attempt also did the rounds”.
Sirisena was selective in answering telephone calls as many within the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime could not be trusted and giving away his hide-out would have been disastrous at that critical hour, the sources pointed out. “Some callers specifically wanted to know whether he was at home in Polonnaruwa.
It was a long night and as news emerged that the common candidate was steadily making headway and victory was predicted, a jubilant Sirisena decided to leave for Colombo the following morning. An aide fixed a Sri Lankan national flag on the front of the BMW car as he prepared to depart, the sources said.
The President-elect thanked Kiran Atapattu and his family for their courageous efforts and the bold resolve to offer him protection, despite the horrendous reprisals the move would have triggered if Sri Lanka’s voters had decided otherwise.
Villagers of Dodangaslanda gaped as Sirisena’s car, with the Lion flag fluttering in the gentle breeze, cruised down the estate road after it became clear that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was on his way out, the sources elaborated.
It was ironical that Sri Lanka’s incumbent Executive President had to remain under cover fearing for his life until the final outcome of an election in a country which was at one time described as a “five-star democracy”, they pointed out.
President Sirisena also told the BBC Sandeshaya program that everybody now harps on democracy, but if he was defeated in the presidential poll, how many people would have been killed by now. “In addition, we know how many people would have had their limbs broken, how many would have been jailed and how many would have been thrown out of their jobs”.
“If I lost the election, there was a plan to imprison my whole family and destroy us”, he asserted.”
/
Amarasiri / March 24, 2015
Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa,
RE” I Will Not Make A Mockery Out Of The National Government: MR
Very Good.
If you try Make A Mockery Out Of The National Government, then you will become a Mockery, as is being done by your disoriented dogs, Baluwansa, Baludeva, Balunesg, Balu-Gamila and Bala- Dayan.
You, should relax in an easy chair and watch and laugh, especially at Wimal Baluwansa.
Wimal Baluwansa’s wife have two passports, but one wife. Does he have another wife? Why dis he nor go for two wives and two passports? At Least one wife and one mistress? Is that why he is called Buruwansa?
Mr. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, you certainly have bad company.
/
david strange / March 25, 2015
Very true… Having got used to HEADLINES from “journalists who had no “backbone he is still looking for that… well said Pygmalion…
/
Funlover / March 23, 2015
This [Edited out] needs to be shoved in jail and the key thrown away.
He has “taken a rest from politics”. Yet he goes here and there, arranges for his goons to ask questions prepared for them, and he answers them.
This particular q&a is preposterous. The answer in translation is ‘Sirisena’s government is laughable, but I am not laughing.
You might as well laugh now. Because in another couple of months, you will not be able to.
/
Funlover / March 23, 2015
I have a question for CT. You have over magnanimously edited out my description of the previous President of Sri Lanka. Do you not agree that Mahinda Rajapaksa was so contemptous of any person who opposed him, to do demeaning things to them, even if he had to treat in that way the person who [Edited out]?
/
Native Vedda / March 23, 2015
Funlover
“You have over magnanimously edited out my description of the previous President of Sri Lanka. “
It is because CT does not want one of its readers turning into another MR. We have had enough with him.
/
Sajin Vass / March 23, 2015
May Mahinda Rajapaksa [Edited out] !!!
/
Jagath Fernando / March 23, 2015
Well said MR
/
Gamani / March 24, 2015
May Mahinda Rajapakasa rest in peace.
/
Sylvia Haik / April 12, 2015
Sorry, he is not dead, not yet anyway. There must be a place reserved for him in hell but first, he has to pay his penance on earth itself, Welekada awaits.
/
Words / March 23, 2015
MR does not need to make a mockery of this “National Government” The Government is making of mockery of themselves quite well !
/
srilal / March 23, 2015
As i said earlier , Derana TV has taken over previous regime ITN duties to promote the Mafia king again , boycott that 3 rd grade TV station , watch any other channel but Derana ..
/
Navin / March 23, 2015
I.O.Sirisena
Why is this man still not in jail?
/
Native Vedda / March 23, 2015
Navin
“Why is this man still not in jail?”
Is it because Ranil and Sirisena believe in due process of law at least on paper?
/
Dev / March 23, 2015
I wonder why they have not arrested KP ! He is still roaming around freely with an INTERPOL arrest warrant out for him….
/
Snowden Edward Asange / March 23, 2015
I know eh.. my concern too, why are sharks allowed to roam free? the Interpol should let the SL police know that IF the SL police wont act on its behalf, they cannot and will not act on behalf of the SL police in future…
whether or NOT teh Interpol wants KP, Sl MUST convict him , the WOLD knows he has blood in his hands and yet RW and the lot who spoke SO MUCH about him has done NOTHING YET. the 100 days is approaching fast, will these murderers be let go is a concern… NO talk about his ill gotten monies, gold, ships..lately, has teh UNP and the ruling newbies split all his wealth with Gota and MR is a concern…
/
Kamal / March 23, 2015
This [Edited out]. The big problem maker for all communities.
/
FAMOUS449 / March 23, 2015
Mahinda,
You have choice other than accepting whats going on currently. You are the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler; you were only very good at brain washing the masses with your inimical love for the country and then the unsuspecting toddlers (babies who don’t know the simple ABC) grabbed from the hands of their mothers. what a show-off was that….?
/
EDWIN RODRIGO / March 23, 2015
I.O.Sirisena, This man is still not in jail because they told him shut up, pack up, stay at home and shove your chintanaya up your u know where. Or else!
/
NAK / March 23, 2015
Enjoy your vacation Mr. president you have a much bigger job than beating the Tigers in the very near future. Those who have sensed that have already started muttering like nuts.
/
Snowden Edward Asange / March 23, 2015
did he beat the tigers? woah I thought he was at the right place at the right time and just SIGNED DOCS. IT was SF who was ” Boots on the ground” and teh architect NOT even Gota the loser, a coward who vacated post and fled to USA and claimed Asylum… while his BRO was teh PM of teh country… In a case of Asylum, the authorities see if an asylee or refugee can go live in a different location if the Army was harassing them and if the LTTE was harassing in the north. IF one is thought to have problems at both ends, that is when they consider to grant Refugee status or Asylum, Gota should NOT have been granted Asylum coz He may have had a threat by the LTTE BUT his Brother was the PM of the country and he could of provided Gota with TOP security…many people who had threats from both ends were refused asylum in certain countries.. ITS ALL POLITICS…
/
Snowden Edward Asange / March 23, 2015
U should NOT make a mockery of YOURSELF now that u have been CHASED AWAY from Politics… STOP being involved.. there were 5.8 million LAME DUCKS and em have reduced substantially.. now u cant get elected via the SLFP, MS will NOT let u contest on the SLFP ticket, try WW’s or Dinesh’s may be Gommanpila’s RACIST new party is good for a racist like YOU… dont forget to take Gandassara along pls…
/
dcn / March 23, 2015
MR cannot be very happy with the evolving political situation. MAITHREE+RANIL combine has made a strategic move in strengthening the government in order to get the necessary amendments to the constitution and then proceed with the elections. His plans to sabotage the present government failed with these moves. Further, the process of investigations to recover the large amount monies
In overseas banks are proceeding which when identified and published would not make the previous regime too comfortable and this may be start of the end of the political careers of the the entire family.
/
gogomahinda / March 23, 2015
This man is a very SORE LOSER.
/
Rohan Polwatte / March 23, 2015
SUPID Mahinda Chinathanaya has screwed up the country. MAttale Airport no planes landing, Hambantota port no ships, criket ground in stupid hamabanota no matches played, CHGOM was a failure billions lost, Bolwdood awards in sri lanka spent billions no return, you name it everything this idiots touches is a failure. Worse is tha tI have never seen a country with no number plates for his family and its close associates. WPC 1999? WTF do you think you gambetta? I am surprised you and your family and your close HENCHMEN not in jail. ATF is happening SIRISENA? Are you another inefficient [Edited out]?
/
thrishu / March 23, 2015
Bloody idiot; you made a mockery out of your own governement. So shut up and got to hell, where you belong, along with that other ruthless dictator VP.
/
Emil van der Poorten / March 24, 2015
There is a HUGE difference between “making a mockery” of and mocking something. Somebody who wrote this obviously can’t tell the difference!
CT should edit stuff like this so that whatever is published makes contextual sense!
/
Paisa Must Appah / March 24, 2015
Very generous man. But he has already made a mokery of himself!
/
EDWIN RODRIGO / March 24, 2015
Aesop said “We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office”. I say, Mahinda, you are not a petty thief.
/
Rohan Polwattte / March 24, 2015
Bloody idiot; you made a mockery out of your own governement. So shut up and got to hell, where you belong, along with that other ruthless dictator VP
/
T Wickramaratna / March 25, 2015
When will MR understand the fact that all TV channels are making a mockery of him?
/
kumar Sandirasegaram / March 30, 2015
Watch out he speaks with a folk tonge. You can never trust this man. He lied to the international community.
/