Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera slammed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his thirst of power, which has made him contest the upcoming General Election.

 

In an interview with BBC, Samaraweera said that the UNP was happy about Rajapaksa’s decision to “humiliate” himself by contesting for the election after being the President of the country. It is a blessing in disguise, Samaraweera said. He explained that with Rajapaksa’s entry, the UNP got back the ‘usual hate figure’ whom it could attack.

 

Furthermore, those who opposed Rajapaksa in the recent presidential election now support the UNP because of Rajapaksa’s entry to the electoral fray, Samaraweera added. Many people who might not have supported the United National Front for Good Governance have been inspired by Rajapaksa’s decision to change their minds, Samaraweera said.