“They want ministerial portfolios”, Sirisena said without naming names.
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Sirisena urged Rajapaksa to be flexible and magnanimous and give his blessings to his choice in the interest of the party and country.
The government Information Department in a release yesterday said that President Maithripala Sirisena has approved the donation as an urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar and the Foreign Ministry Secretary has been ordered to hand over the donation to the Myanmar Ambassador in Sri Lanka. He adds that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is the only party in the country that boasts of leaders who are intelligent, politically experienced and with much forethought, who could be appointed to the post of Prime Minister.
However, President Sirisena states that his aspirations were shattered with Mahinda Rajapaksa signing nominations and states that he lost the opportunity he had to rally people who supported his victory and cause.
“It may not make a big difference to the outcome of the election, but it will further discourage Rajapakse’s campaign”. Sirisena was Rajapaksa’s Health Minister until he came forward as the opposition unity candidate to challenge the then president previous year. The SLFP is a main constituent party in the UPFA coalition.
Sirisena had also disclosed that he had wanted to lead the SLFP’s campaign at the General Election but had given up the idea for the sake of the party after Rajapaksa signed nominations to contest the election.
“From the private conversations that you have been having with our party members, it is clear that you are still spewing hatred and anger and you are full of yourself”, Sirisena said.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday wrote to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa telling him in no uncertain terms that he will not be made Prime Minister even if the United People’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) wins the August 17 parliamentary elections.
Sirisena, who is Chairman of the UPFA and the SLFP, said in the letter that he could use his powers as the President of Sri Lanka to help the UPFA get additional support to form a government, in case the party comes first but does not bag the required 113 of the 225 seats.
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Since his defeat, there has been an outpouring of corruption allegations against Rajapakse’s inner circle, including close relatives. One of his sons has also been implicated in the alleged murder of a former rugby star.
