MR Says He Didn't Want To Meet Trump As He Was Wealthier Than US President: Promises Legal Action Against NY Times

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he did not want to meet US President Donald Trump as he was wealthier than the US President. 

"The government claims that I have assets worth USD 18 billion. I heard Trump had only USD 2 billion. So, why should I meet Trump when I have more money than him?" Rajapaksa quipped, while addressing a public meeting in Kuliyapitiya yesterday. 

"If the Chinese company under question offered me millions of dollars, I could have bought sarees for all the women in Sri Lanka," Rajapaksa said. 

The former President said he was looking into the possibility of taking legal action against the Us newspaper. 

"We will also take legal action against the local newspapers and TV stations that carried the news item," the former President also added.