India’s influence in Sri Lanka’s elections cannot be ignored said Namal Rajapska.
In an exclusive interview with the News Minute, Mr Rajapaksa said,
"India's influence in Sri Lankan elections cannot be ignored. India is important in regional politics and several sectors see mutual involvement of both India and Sri Lanka. We cannot ignore India's influence. We cannot ignore India.”
He added,
“It is the popular belief in Sri Lanka that India and US worked against President Rajapaksa in the last elections. Majority still believe that. He (Mahinda) never mentioned that India is partly responsible. People know that India had a major role. It was the situation between the two countries at that time. I am talking about the statements and behaviour of certain diplomats in Sri Lanka.”
Suggesting that India had influenced the presidential elections that saw due to deepening ties with China, Mr Rajapaksa said,
“We first offered the port and the southern highway to the Indian Government. But for three years, they did not deliver. So, what do you expect us to do as a government in power? Wait for another three years for a country to come develop it? We instead gave it to people who were ready to take on the projects. If China's economic interests in Sri Lanka trouble India, then they should take up more projects too.”
