"I Have No Family Members To Attend State Functions On My Behalf": President Hits Out At The Rajapaksas

December 14, 2015

President Maithripala Sirisena said he never sent his family members to attend state functions on behalf of him - emulating the conduct of his predecessor, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

"No other in the recent past worked as I did over the past nine months. The former President had enough time to hobnob with MPs and other parties as he had so many family members to attend state functions on behalf of him. But I do not have that luxury," the President said last saturday, while chairing a discussion with his party members.
 
"There is a misconception that MPs are scared to meet me. There is no issue like that. Anyone can come to my office and see him. But unlike my processor, I have to go through hundreds of files every day. I don't have family members around me to take care of my duties," the President had said, hitting out at the conduct of the former President. 

"I am not in a position to relax. I have to do my job. But, at the same time, I have to meet various people and listen to their grievances. I spend a lot of time at my office. Those who say it is difficult to get an appointment from me should also understand this reality," President Sirisena added while addressing the meeting.

The President further stressed that his family members would never get involved in his official matters, paving way for family-bandyism. 

However, President Sirisena came under criticism from various parties when his son, Daham Sirisena attended the UN General Assembly as a member of the Sri Lankan delegation and when his daughter, Chathurika Sirisena, visited a remote area in Polonnaruwa to look into socio-economic issues concerning the village. 

 

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