Ready to topple the Government when the time is right - MR

Colombo (News1sr) -  A meeting chaired by Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was held last night. Several members of Parliament representing the joint opposition attended the meeting. It was reported that the 3-hour long meeting had been called to discuss forming a caretaker government. Journalists questioned the parliamentarians as they were exiting the meeting and several of them shared their views. When questioned whether he has any intention of forging a future with the SLFP? MP Namal Rajapaksa stated that he has publicly admitted that he will become a member of the Sri Lanka podujana peramuna (SLPP) adding that when the auspicious time comes he would join the SLPP. There were reports a few days ago that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with President Maithripala Sirisena, journalists questioned MP Kumara Welgama whether the secret meeting came up in the discussions. Welgama simply responded by stating that the matter did not come up and that he has no knowledge of it. He added that Basil Rajapaksa has openly stated that he met with the President. When questioned about the statement made recently by Gotabaya Rajapaksa that he would prefer to see his brother Basil as the presidential candidate, Welgama stated that "whoever is willing to be a candidate, must be a citizen of this country." When questioned Basil Rajapaksa stated that the meeting was held to discuss future appointments of the party and what steps should be taken to topple the Government. He noted that he could not discuss the party's plans on toppling the Government. When questioned whether the "Jana Balaya" protest was a failure or not, Basil Rajapaksa stated that it may look like a failure for their opponents but noted that it was not. Finally, the former President came before the media and stated that it is the opposition's responsibility to topple the Government and that that they would do it when the time is right. When questioned about what strategy would be used for this purpose the Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that he was ready to follow any strategy.