Public opinion can’t be changed with threats – Rajapaksa

Public opinion can’t be changed with threats – Rajapaksa

March 6, 2015   03:16 pm

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.

 

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Lunch Time News Bulletin 12.00 pm

TV Derana awarded 'Service Brand of the Year 2024' at 'SLIM Brand Excellence 2024' Awards (English)

US sanctions Kapila Chandrasena and Udayanga Weeratunga over corruption (English)

Sri Lanka receives China's fabric grant for 2025 school uniforms (English)

ADB approves USD 30 million financing facility for Sri Lanka's CEB (English)

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Lunch Time News Bulletin 12.00 pm