President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that he acted within his powers in giving a Cabinet Minister post to Tissa Attanayake.

Speaking at an event in Moneragala, he said that as per the constitution the president can appoint Cabinet Ministers. Considering it as a bribe is nothing but a joke, Rajapaksa insisted.

Rajapaksa added that the summons to the bribery commission was the New Year gift given him by the government.

He also said that the government has started taking revenge from opponents. Meanwhile, the country’s national security is in jeopardy, he added, insisting that he gave priority to it during his term as president.

Tissa Attanayake, the long time UNP General Secretary, joined the then government of Mahinda Rajapaksa on December 8, 2014. On December 11, he was appointed Minister of Health, the post vacated by Maithripala Sirisena when he defected to the opposition on November 21, 2014. Attanayake held his ministerial position for just one month.