UNP former parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake refuted former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s claim that there was no coup attempt on the night of January 8-9, saying that he has evidence to prove it if required.

 

Speaking to Asian Mirror, Ramanayake said that even the former Army Commander had said that their intervention helped preserve democracy in the country. Ramanayake said that he once thanked both the former Army Commander and the IGP for foiling this attempt.

 

Ramanayake said that neither the former Chief Justice nor the former Ambassador to France had any business to do at Temple Trees that night. Their mere presence raises questions, he pointed out.

 

Ramanayake also responded to Rajapaksa’s recent comments on the alleged coup, where the former President had refuted the claims. Rajapaksa had asked if a coup would be carried out ‘legally’ with the sanction of the Attorney General or the Chief Justice. However, Ramanayake responded by saying that Rajapaksa had controlled the legal system and manipulated it during his years in power.

 

According to information received, the Rajapaksa camp was planning to give legal justification and stay in power for two years, Ramanayake said.

 

Many things Rajapaksa did were not illegal but were undemocratic, Ramanayake argued, citing the removal of former CJ Shirani Bandaranayake as an example. Even Adolf Hitler acted with legal sanction, Ramanayake also said.