Sri Lanka is facing a wave of “political terrorism” driven by personal revenge, indiscipline, and a lack of professionalism, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Rajapaksa stated that he has “returned to where it all began,” noting that he travelled to his home village via the Southern Expressway built during his administration. “As my eldest son Namal said, I have returned to my village where it all began. Now, I can enjoy a sour fish stew in the village,” he wrote.
His remarks come after vacating his official residence at Wijerama, following the enactment of the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act, No. 18 of 2025, which removed housing and other privileges for former heads of state.
Rajapaksa dismissed earlier media calls for him to leave the residence, claiming that political opponents were attempting to hide their failures. “I had no need to listen to statements made by people who, unable to do anything for the public, were rapidly losing support and trying to cover up their incompetence,” he said.
Responding to what he described as personal attacks, Rajapaksa said: “I have heard claims that Mahinda Rajapaksa now deserves to be hanged. Personally, I do not respond to such direct targeting. But I state that as long as I live, and as long as we live under the lion flag, I will rise against anyone who betrays this unitary motherland. On that day, if necessary, I know the Maha Sangha and the people of this country will be ready to make any sacrifice. Political threats and loud rhetoric are nothing new to Mahinda Rajapaksa of Giruwapattuwa.”
He also recalled his past role at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he said he stood on behalf of the disappeared, despite facing what he described as political repression and reprisals.
