Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samarweera launched a scathing attack on him as the latter was well aware of his capabilities. 

"He openly admitted that he did the same thing to Ranil Wickremesinghe in the past as he knew the latter was a threat. So what does this attack say about me?" Rajpaksa asked during a public meeting in Badulla. 

He was responding to the recent statement made by Samaraweera alleging that Rajapaksa was the most "dangerous" public servant in the history of Sri Lanka. 

"The country is dealing with myriad economic issues. But the Finance Minister is busy issuing statements about me," Rajapaksa said. 

The former Defence Secretary said some elements within the current government considered him to be a serious threat .