Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Soysa said former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he referred to as 'beloved Mahinda Ayya', was captured by the latter's own family. 

In an interview with a private TV station, Soysa said Mahinda Rajapaksa was a true friend and a dear comrade before he was taken over by the family, including former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. 

The Minister said although he was the Education Deputy Minister of the Rajapaksa administration, toilets of schools in his electorate were constructed by Basil Rajapaksa. 

"I was the Wildlife minister. I had the bear the brunt of public rage when people were attacked by elephants. I had to handle public demonstrations and other issues. But, they did not give me money to build an electric fence. It was handled by Basil Rajapaksa," he said. 

The Minister added the SLFPers who were instrumental in the party's victory at previous elections were sidelined by those who were parachuted from outside. 

Commenting on the budget, he said Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera cut his teeth as a politician at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and therefore the SLFPers anticipated a people-friendly budget. 

"Mangala was born in the same ancestral home, the SLFP. He understands the pulse of the SLFPers. So we expect a positive outcome," the Minister added.