Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that public opinion cannot be changed with threats and intimidation and that it is wrong to prohibit SLFP members from attending rallies organized by other political parties.

Asked whether he will be attending the public rally organized in Kandy today supporting him to contest the General Election, Rajapaksa jokingly said that he has to “sign at several weddings today.”

The ex-President, however, confirmed that he has received an invitation to participate in the rally, which is being organized by several coalition parties of the UPFA.  

 On the SLFP central committee’s recent decision barring members from attending rallies of other parties, Rajapaksa said: “I think that it’s wrong. I believe public opinion cannot be stopped by threats and intimidation.”

Replying to questions from reporters during a visit to the Madurawala Pradeshiya Sabha in Horana, he said that no force is raising their voice against the UNP government and that the rallies - in Nugegoda and Kandy - are the only voice  currently available. “That is why the people come.”

When asked where the real Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is, Rajapaksa pointed to his chest saying “it’s here.”

He stated that he has never left the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at any point in time, even temporarily.

“I’m in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. I have no other parties. I have never left even temporarily and I will never leave temporarily.”

“No one can ask me to leave the Sri Lanka Freedom Party,” Rajapaksa said.