Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping Affairs Nishantha Muthuhettigamage refuted the claim made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who accused certain parliamentarians of coming into power through the merits of prominent political figures of the government.
He stated that all the governing party members were elected to parliament through their own merit and not through the merits of prominent government figureheads.
Speaking at a gathering in Galle, the Deputy Minister stated that the former President interacted with the village community merely to show his face to the people just as he accused several government parliamentarians.
He further went on to state that he along with several party members have no intention of joining the UNP at the upcoming elections to secure positions at local government institutions.
The Deputy Minister also stated that the SLFP and the Joint Opposition can never co-exist until Basil Rajapaksa remains within the party.
