Former Minister Shantha Bandara says the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will work to make Namal Rajapaksa the President of Sri Lanka even if he is imprisoned.
Bandara alleged that the current Government was attempting to imprison former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as well as several former ministers and MPs. He further claimed that the Government was attempting to undermine public confidence in the judiciary, which he described as the only institution in the country that could still be trusted.
He said the first phase of the campaign to make Namal Rajapaksa President would begin with a public rally at the Salgado Grounds in Anuradhapura on September 12, claiming that an unexpectedly large crowd was expected to attend.
Bandara also claimed that grassroots organising had indicated that a significant number of people who voted for the National People’s Power (NPP) at the last election were preparing to attend the September 12 rally and extend their support to Rajapaksa.
“Many are trying to put Mahinda Rajapaksa in prison. They are trying to put Gotabaya Rajapaksa in prison, and attempts are also being made to imprison some former ministers and MPs. That is not a problem. We have great faith in the judiciary. The only thing left is our trust in the judiciary, and the current Government is trying to destroy that too,” Bandara said.
“Even if Namal Rajapaksa is put in prison, we will make him President, even from behind bars,” he added.
