In an interesting turn of events, President Maithripala Sirisena , addressing the commemoration of Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera yesterday, contradicted his own remarks on giving two helicopters to the former President's family to go to their hometown after the Presidential election in 2015.

Speaking on April 09,2016, President Sirisena said it was him who gave two helicopters to the former President's family to go to Hambantota following the last Presidential election. 

"Nowhere in the world has a head of state ben given helicopters to home after an election defeat," Sirisena said yesterday. 

At the Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera's event yesterday, Sirisena said helicopters were given to the former first family without his knowledge. 

"I didn't know any such thing. I asked the current Air Force Commander about the matter and he said a powerful politician attributed the request to me. I made no such request," Sirisena said yesterday. 

"Those who did these things should answer the public," he said contradicting his own remarks.