The United Republic Front Leader and Opposition Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Founder and National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa is using various tactics to establish the Rajapaksas’ political existence.

The politicians of the Rajapaksa family include former President and incumbent Government MP Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Government MPs Chamal Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa, and the incumbent State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa.

Speaking to the media on 24 March, Ranawaka observed that the Rajapaksas are well aware that they would not be elected to the Parliament in the upcoming elections. He claimed that Basil Rajapaksa, who has understood this situation, is using various tactics to ensure their political existence. “Their aim is to prevent a Parliament from being elected without the Rajapaksas. They are preparing various plans to get elected to the Parliament. Basil Rajapaksa calling for the Parliamentary Election to be held first is part of that plan.” he said. He also queried the President and Minister of Finance Ranil Wickremesinghe as to whether it is the need of the hour to hold an election for the Rajapaksas to remain in politics. “There is a need to stabilise the country both economically and politically. The President should decide whether it is to recover the country from the prevailing crisis, or to pave the way for the Rajapaksas to remain in politics that is needed.”

Speaking further, Ranawaka said that the Presidential Election must be held between the period from 17 September and 17 October of this year, and opined that the people would cast their vote for anyone except for the Rajapaksas.