Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Underworld men brought by UNP

I have not robbed nor have I murdered anyone

- BY HAFEEL FARISZ

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that many leading underworld figures, who fled the country during the time of his rule, had returned to the country at the behest of politician­s. “About 10 or 12 of those, who had fled the country during our time, have been brought back by UNP politician­s and they are actively participat­ing in election work,” the former President said during an interview held at his residence in Mirihana.

About 10 or 12 of those, who had fled the country during our time, have been brought back by UNP politician­s and they are actively participat­ing in election work... What nonsense is that? That’s how these people like to turn things like every other allegation of theirs. Look at what Sujeewa has said...

Those who were in custody and were granted bail even didn’t leave the prisons during our time, but now they are all freely campaignin­g with the UNP politician­s,” he said. He said that the Bloemendha­l shooting was an example of the actions of the underworld, which had returned. When questioned by journalist­s as to the allegation made by Minister Ravi Karunanaya­ke that the

If by any chance this happened during my time or had I even just visited a procession

shooting was the actions of the former President’s henchmen, he replied in the negative. “What nonsense is that? That’s how these people like to turn things like every other allegation of theirs. Look at what Sujeewa has said. Even he admits that the underworld has got close to their politician­s.

“If by any chance this happened during my time or had I even just visited a procession in which such a thing happened, everyone would have slandered me and blamed me. That’s how you’ll worked during my time,” he said.

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