I wouldn’t have taken that decision had I been President – Mahinda

Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the ‘Jana Mahimaya’ rally, stated that he once again respects the decision taken by President Maithripala Sirisena.

The ‘Jana Mahimaya’ rally organized to support the newly established government is currently ongoing at the Parliament roundabout.

Rajapaksa says that this decision taken by the President after working with Ranil Wickremesinghe is very important.

The President and I worked separately for a long time and many things were said, says the Prime Minister.

He said that he is grateful towards President Sirisena for accepting people’s opinion shown through the last election and making this decision.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that he wouldn’t have taken the decision President took if he had been the President and that he would have continued regardless.

Working with the President is not at all difficult as he and President had worked together in the past, he said.

This decision was made considering the future of the unborn children in Sri Lanka, he mentioned.

However, he will work dedicatedly for the welfare of the country, says PM Rajapaksa.

This government was built by sacrifices of many and he will not let this be broken by others’ tales, further said Rajapaksa.

Rajapaksa said the he and the President reunited, for the betterment of the people and the country after a lapse of four years.

“People praised President Maithripala Sirisena for appointing me as the Prime Minister endorsing the real mandate received at the last Local Government polls,” Prime Minister Rajapaksa said.

“We thank the President for taking this decision for the betterment of the country and the people. This was a serious course of action,” he added.

However, the Prime Minister said it was not difficult for both of them to work together as they had a very old friendship.

“We separated temporarily but are now reunited for the betterment of the people and the country,” the Premier added.

“Former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is responsible for selling the country’s assets and resources that are to the people and the future generations to foreign countries.

“He ruled the country in an arbitrary manner by putting a high debt burden on the public.”

“Those were the reasons that urged us to go for a remedial programme,” the Prime Minister said.

“From the very the first day I assumed duties at the Finance Ministry, I looked for ways of reducing the tax burden and the fuel price. This was possible. That is why we reduced them over a night,” the Premier stressed.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa said the previous government did not take these measures as they just wanted a luxury life while the people suffered due to heavy burden cast on them.

“We are duty bound to look into the people’s welfare, develop the country and protect democracy,” the Prime Minister said.

While stressing that they won’t allow anyone to break the unity between the President and the Prime Minister by spreading rumours, the PM also requested all the minority political parties to join with them on behalf of their people in each and every part of the country to develop the country.