Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that as far as he was concerned he was still the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

“I didn’t leave, they didn’t ask me to leave,” the former President said addressing a press conference yesterday.

He also said the present government is engaged in a ‘great conspiracy’ to paint the ‘wrong picture about us’.

He said the fruits of his debt-taking were apparent: “There are highways, airports and ports,” the former President said.

“But what does the present government have to show for the massive increase in taxes?”, he asked – “Nothing, they are just squeezing the people dry.”

He said the present government had no evidence with which to prosecute the former government: “That is why there is a delay,” he said.

“Do you think they would just be, if they had evidence?” he asked. “They have nothing against Joint Opposition – but Ravi Karunanyake was caught,” he added.