“If I contest, I’m confident that I’m going to win the General Election and become Sri Lanka’s next Prime Minister,” former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Rajapaksa made the observation during an interview with the Aljazeera news agency on Monday (27).

At no time what so ever, at the day of the election, were there any plans by you to try and stay in office by force? 

No. It is a ridiculous. Can anyone do a conspiracy and take over the power within one hour? or two? It is nonsense. I was on the view that I should leave the office, if I lose the election.

You made history, as the President that saw and brought an end to almost 30-years of conflict in this country. One of a most brutal conflict in the world too. But six years on, there were allegations that you were turning a blind eye on corruption and behaving as a dictator? Is this one of a reason for your defeat?

No. There was a well managed campaign against me. That’s the reason.

There were some critics who say that the war victory came at too higher prize. Would you say that it was worth it? 

Yes, it’s worth it. Otherwise you would have facing the same problem here too.

Do you see yourself coming back possibly as the Sri Lanka’s next PM?

I won’t say that.  But, if I contest, I’m confident that I’m going to win the next General Election and become Sri Lanka’s next Prime Minister.