In an exclusive conversation with WION, Namal Rajapaksa, son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, talks about what’s next in Sri Lankan politics, China’s role and importance of India-Sri Lanka relationship.
What will be your next move?
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, together with President Sirisena and his United People’s Freedom Alliance will work to form a broad coalition. The United National Party has been stripped to a minor government now with only 103 seats, so we will establish a strong opposition and work for Sri Lanka’s betterment.
Does the SLPP consider fresh elections as the best option for Sri Lankans?
In any country, when the government holds only 103 seats in a 225-member Parliament, how can it get anything done? We will continue to call for a Parliamentary Election as it is only through a free and fair election that a strong, stable, government can come into place. It will be difficult for Wickremesinghe to continue with a minority government.
Will you support an impeachment process, if called for, against President Sirisena?
The impeachment motion is an idea of the UNP and it is they who are initiating this. We believe that President Sirisena acted in the best interest of the nation, when he sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed Rajapaksa as the prime minister. Even now, although we respect the Supreme Court decision, we believe that it is the people’s mandate, which should be taken into account. The government is already very unstable, there is no point in making the presidency unstable too.
How do you look at India-Sri Lanka ties?
Rajapaksa, I and the party, have always maintained that India is one of our strongest friends and development partners. That has not changed in any way. Rajapaksa has always maintained strong ties with successive Indian leaders. In fact, under his tenure as the President before 2015, Rajapaksa worked closely with Indian leaders to strengthen several sectors in both countries. But of course all our foreign relations have been based on a non-aligned policy. So we will continue our relations with India in this manner.
Do you think China is involved in the current turmoil in your country?
Not at all. These are baseless allegations. China, just like India, has been a strong friend and partner. And we praise their policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka or any other country. It is not right to discredit any country.
