AFP, Colombo :
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday said his party was set to lose upcoming parliamentary elections and blamed former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse. Rajapakse — who lost the January 8 presidential election — was on Monday formally accepted as a candidate to stand in the upcoming polls, ending weeks of speculation.
But Sirisena said his predecessor could not get the support of minority Tamils and Muslims crucial to winning the August 17 vote. “I told him Tamil and Muslim people of this country will not vote for you,” Sirisena said explaining how he tried to dissuade Rajapakse from running.
“There is a wave sweeping all over the world against corruption. I told him that educated people, the middle classes, expect me to bring good governance and you are lacking in that area.”
“So please don’t come forward at this election and defeat this (UPFA) party.”
Rajapakse on Monday secured a ticket to represent his United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA)for a seat in the 225-member assembly. “Young people will not vote for you due to the big wrongs you committed during your period, your feudal behaviour and nepotism,” Sirisena said referring to allegations that Rajapakse siphoned billions of dollars from state coffers during his nine-year rule.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday said his party was set to lose upcoming parliamentary elections and blamed former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse. Rajapakse — who lost the January 8 presidential election — was on Monday formally accepted as a candidate to stand in the upcoming polls, ending weeks of speculation.
But Sirisena said his predecessor could not get the support of minority Tamils and Muslims crucial to winning the August 17 vote. “I told him Tamil and Muslim people of this country will not vote for you,” Sirisena said explaining how he tried to dissuade Rajapakse from running.
“There is a wave sweeping all over the world against corruption. I told him that educated people, the middle classes, expect me to bring good governance and you are lacking in that area.”
“So please don’t come forward at this election and defeat this (UPFA) party.”
Rajapakse on Monday secured a ticket to represent his United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA)for a seat in the 225-member assembly. “Young people will not vote for you due to the big wrongs you committed during your period, your feudal behaviour and nepotism,” Sirisena said referring to allegations that Rajapakse siphoned billions of dollars from state coffers during his nine-year rule.
