I will win if I contest – MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was confident that he would win the forthcoming general election if he contested. “I won’t say that I will contest for next prime ministerial post but if I contest, I know that I will win,” he told Al-Jazeera television in an interview.

Rejecting a report of his attempting to retain power following his defeat at the January presidential election, Mr. Rajapaksa said the report was a joke. “How can one conspire within an hour or two to take over a government? I had already decided that I would leave if I lose,” he said. When asked whether his image had been eroded because of charges of turning a blind eye to corruption, Mr. Rajapaksa said it was not the case and there was a well-managed campaign against him since the war victory.