Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the Joint Opposition has asked the minister and MPs of the government, who had confirmed their participation for the Nugegoda rally on January 27, not to show up.

He alleged that various ministers are saying that they will not allow bail to be granted for arrested opposition politicians while a certain individual had said that they will not give bail until after 3 months. “Are the courts deciding or the ministers?”

“Another has said that cases will be filed against the children of those who climb the stages of Joint Opposition meetings and that they will be jailed,” he said, speaking to reporters in Colombo. 

“Afterwards we took a decision to tell all the ministers and MPs, who personally told us they would attend the rally on 27, to refrain from participating.”

He said that several ministers were slated to attend the event, but they have been instructed not to climb the stage “because it will be an obstacle for our programme.”

He stated that it is okay if politicians face hardships but their children should not face hardships. 

Responding to a question, he said that the joint opposition’s plans to take over the government are being implemented now that the prime minister has returned to the country. 

“We were waiting till he comes to start,” he said

When asked as to how many form the government were expected to attend the Nugegoda rally, he said: “You will be surprised if you find out. So we won’t say.”

He claimed that prominent members from both the SLFP and the UNP were prepared to participate in the event and that they have all been told not to. 

“We will have a successful rally on 27. We invite everyone to participate. We believe it will be a historic rally.”