report in Daily Mirror, Sept 12, 2023
Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who has maintained a stark silence since his resignation in July last year is now eyeing to recapture and strengthen his failed image through a new political party which is now led by one of his close aide’s and media owner who declared his entry into politics yesterday.
The Daily Mirror learns that Gotabaya Rajapaksa who has been given all the privileges and facilities as a former President despite being forced out of office by the citizens, is reportedly backing the Mawbima Janatha Party which was recently purchased by his close aide Dilith Jayaweera.
According to sources in the Elections Commission, the Mawbima Janatha Party recently changed its constitution and elected new office bearers after Jayaweera took over the party.
The party is also now open to accepting new members and it is learnt that a hunt is on for educated individuals, an attempt similar to Rajapaksa’s Viyathmaga.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s latest attempt to clear up his image comes after the Daily Mirror had reported in Oct.2022, that a team put together by a media personality and business tycoon were visiting the villages which he had visited under the ‘Gama Samaga Pilisandara’ programme when he was President, and these members were speaking to the people to clear the former president’s image.
The residents of those villages were also being informed that Rajapaksa had been misled and those to blame were those close to him including his family members.
Opinion polls were also conducted in these villages to gather the people’s feedback on Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to test the waters if there is any public trust remaining for the former president.
Now in his latest attempt, it is learnt that Gotabaya Rajapaksa will give his blessings and back the Mawbima Janatha Party which is led by Jayaweera as the country gears up for the Presidential Election which will be held next year.
Senior leader of the Mawbima Janatha Party, Hemakumara Nanayakkara told the Daily Mirror that the Mawbima Janatha Party and the Aramuna organization of Dilith Jayaweera had joined hands to contest future elections as the Mawbima Janatha Party and said they were working together towards that end.
He also said they will contest the upcoming Presidential election as well.
https://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/GR-to-back-new-political-party/155-267105
