President assures no deal with Rishad

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, yesterday said, in a Facebook post, that the government had not entered into any political deal with Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen.

Rajapaksa said that ensuring national security was the first and foremost responsibility of his government and steps had already been taken in that regard.

“I am not prepared to hand over the power of arresting or arbitrarily releasing people to politicians, as happened in the past. I will also take actions to rectify any omissions or mistakes made by the relevant authorities or officials.”

Rajapaksa said that the Easter Sunday attacks were due to a breakdown in the security apparatus under the previous government and the creation of a social and political climate that encouraged and promoted extremism.

A Presidential Commission of Inquiry was looking into the Easter Sunday attacks while the CID was continuing with their investigations, the President said.

“Once these investigations are over, those who are responsible will be severely punished. I assure my citizens that I will not forsake the trust that they have placed in me and I will most certainly continue to work towards strengthening the built trust.”