Sajith, if you can't, say so, Namal will lead the opposition - Manoj Gamage

Mr. Manoj Gamage, the media spokesperson for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, stated the following addressing a Pohottu media briefing.

"The people of this country are now realizing that they have made the most serious experiment and the most serious mistake in history. Currently, efforts are being made to silence the opponents. For many years, this country had a very respectable, independent judicial system. Now, they are attempting to bring this independent judicial system under the control of Pelawatte. We can see that judges are working under severe pressure. After the judges unite and declare their decision on this matter, a certain doubt is currently arising within us regarding their future fate and the threats they face from the government. This is because statements made by some individuals regarding this matter indicate such a serious situation.

Also, recently we saw that a detention order (DO) was issued against an individual because he launched campaigns against government ministers and MPs on social media. He, who arrived from Australia, was arrested at Katunayake Airport. We have no issue with the enforcement of law against certain individuals or with the existing laws and regulations of the country. However, before issuing DOs (detention orders), DOs were typically issued only under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, for terrorist suspects and other serious suspects. But currently, the government is acting in a way that even social media activists who criticize them are being detained under DOs. This is a very serious repressive situation. Democracy in the country is going to ruin.

I think the people have now realized that the cross they marked to experiment with is currently turning the entire country into a graveyard. The funeral of democracy in the country is dawning. So, because of that, we especially tell the opposition, we tell the Leader of the Opposition: "Wake up, sir, stand up. You are the one who leads this. If you can't, tell us, Mr. Namal Rajapaksa will provide leadership for it. Because we can do it."

However, it is you, sir, whom the people of this country have given the leadership of the opposition. Do not let that opposition leadership be used as the government wishes. When the government whitewashes you and praises you, do not be deceived by those words and forget the role of the Leader of the Opposition. There is something that the people of this country believe. We have no personal animosity towards you. But what the people of this country expect and believe from the opposition is that the Leader of the Opposition is not fulfilling his role at this time. That is something not only we, but everyone, accepts. If Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was in the opposition leadership at this time, where would this country be today?"