Former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, addressing the media yesterday (26), invited the international community to support the new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He stated that the international community had “tried to support some other person, some other government, and they saw what happened in this country.”
He requested them not to allow the situation to deteriorate and urged them to support Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“We should now form a government to develop the country, to protect the country. We should establish a new Cabinet of Ministers and give the public what they desire,” Gotabhaya Rajapaksa further said.
According to him, the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister ensures the confidence in the public and also in the investors. He called for the businessmen and entrepreneurs to come forward to develop the country and invest without fear.
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that he would not be taking over the Defense Secretary position, responding to the queries raised by the media persons in this regard. He also said that he would serve the country without assuming any designation.
He also affirmed that he would not join the government as a minister.
He also requested Ranil Wickremesinghe to step aside and support them. However, with or without his support they would serve the country, he added.
When queried regarding the claims of Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera that this appointment is illegal, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa countered as to how the Prime Minister was appointed on the previous occasion while they were having the two-thirds majority.
Gotabhaya assured that they are certainly able to move forward with the President and that they consented to the position of Prime Minister as they are willing to work together with the President.
The former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had assumed power in much more dangerous and challenging situations than this, Gotabhaya further said.
“Mahinda Rajapaksa is the person who freed the country, within just 3 years, from 30-year terrorism, an issue that five presidents and approximately 10 governments had failed to resolve, and he is the only one who can save the country from this abyss” former Defense Secretary commented further, addressing the media.
