Responding to President Maithripala Sirisena's claims on giving two helicopters to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gmamanpila said Rajapaksa did not need anyone's permission to use helicopters as he was still the Executive President of the country on January 09, 2015. 

"President Sirisena took oaths on the evening of January 09. So, according to the law of the country, Rajapaksa was still the President of the country when he went to Hambantota on the morning of January 09. So, he did not need anyone's permission," Gammanpila said, speaking to media in Colombo today. 

"It was well within the former President's right to use a helicopter at that point," he said. 

"It is sad to see that Sirisena does not understand this logic although he too uses helicopters for various purposes."

"I don't think President Sirisena is aware of this. He does not even know whether he is the President of the country," he added.