Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Johnston Fernando claimed that the public had expected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to deliver development on a scale greater than what had been achieved during the country’s 76-year history.

Addressing a public gathering, Fernando said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the leader who had done the most for the people and contributed the most towards the country’s development.

He further claimed that if Rajapaksa had not been defeated in 2015, the country would have progressed far beyond its current state.

Fernando also stated that the only leader capable of developing the country and bringing about the kind of transformation achieved under Mahinda Rajapaksa was Namal Rajapaksa.

He added that discussions about Namal Rajapaksa becoming the country’s next President were now taking place not only at village level, but even inside prisons.