As soon as I become president, I will start investigations into the funds that came to the struggle - Namal

National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa stated today (13) while addressing the media at the party headquarters on Nelum Mawatha, that a Presidential Commission would be appointed to conduct a full investigation into the funds received by the 'Aragalaya' protest movement and their distribution under a future government.

The MP stated that this Presidential Commission would specifically investigate the movement known as 'Aragalaya' and the foreign funds that flowed into it. He also pointed out that even the American President has commented on how foreign funds were channeled through 'USAID' to overthrow governments in several countries, including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Mr. Rajapaksa alleged that some participants of the 'Aragalaya' received large sums of foreign money, and several former protesters have publicly admitted to purchasing vehicles and houses with those funds, as well as traveling abroad. He strongly criticized this disparity, stating that while some individuals used this opportunity for their personal gain, innocent youths who were sacrificed for their objectives are now facing the death penalty.

He stated that some groups have achieved their political objectives under the guise of the protest movement, destroying young lives and their futures. The MP declared that the individuals who incited people to take to the streets through mainstream media back then, promising them protection, are now in power, while ordinary youths genuinely involved in the movement are currently facing the death penalty.

Commenting on judicial matters, he urged critics to carefully read the relevant court decisions. He also accused the current government of attempting to exert various influences on the judicial system and obstruct its independence. Nevertheless, he stated that he was pleased with the judiciary's highly independent conduct in delivering justice regarding the assassination of Member of Parliament Amarakeerthi Athukorala.

Mr. Rajapaksa, calling this brutal daylight murder an act of terrorism, expressed his deep regret over some individuals' attempts to justify it through social media. He likened this incident to an event that occurred in a factory in Pakistan, noting that justice was served there due to the intervention of then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, and observed that those who praised Imran Khan then are not offering similar praise to local judges today.

He further pointed out that sacrificing young lives for political objectives is a historical practice of some political parties, and the same pattern was observed once again during the 'Aragalaya' period. He emphasized that while some gained power through the destruction of lives and property, many youths involved are now facing the death penalty, while its organizers are currently "ruling like kings".