State Minister for Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taught National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa a good lesson in relation to his ‘black flag’ fiasco.

On May 1, Wimal Weerawansa called for black flags to be hung in protest of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka to officiate at the opening ceremony of the UN Vesak Week.

“Before the Indian Prime Minister came there was a lot of talk about how the government was giving Sri Lanka like a ‘dansal’ to India,” the State Minister said. “What happened? What did the Indian Prime Minister take? What deal did he sign,” he questioned.

“A good lesson was taught to Wimal Weerawansa who asked everyone to hoist black flags during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit. Who hoisted black flags? Nobody. What did former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena and Vasudeva Nanayakkara do? They met with the Indian Premier and had cordial conversations with him,” the State Minister said.