MR is an exemplary leader - Weerawanse

Colombo (News 1st) - Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa held a media briefing today at his official residence, which was attended by JO party leaders. At the briefing, he stated that the government has failed in controlling the depreciation of the rupee. Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that while he was in power they kept close track of the rupee depreciation and made sure it didn't experience major declines. He stated that when they handed the government to the current rulers the rupee was at Rs. 135 against the USD and now it has crashed to Rs. 170. MP Wimal Weerawanse who was also at the event stated that leadership does not mean making statements saying "we cannot do anything as the whole world is facing an economic crisis". According to MP Weerawanse leadership is not letting the rupee depreciate further. MP Weerawanse also stated that the rupee had depreciated by 9.2% compared to the currency in Ethiopia. Elaborating he stated that if this country was handed over to the Ethiopian Leader, the rupee would have been strengthened. Moving on to a different question, the Newfirst journalist questioned MR on the Keith Noyahr abduction case. To which MP Wimal Weerawanse chipped in stating that investigations are taking place on the abduction of Keith Noyahr and that even Intelligence personnel have been sent to prison. MR replying to the question stated that he never met Keith Noyahr. Former Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal talking at the briefing stated that the total debt taken during the reign of the Former President as of December 2014 was Rs. 7391 Bn and that the current debt is Rs. 11,967 Bn. MP Wimal Weerawanse once again talks about leadership and states that, as President, Mahinda Rajapaksa paid off the debt taken by the Chandrika Government, JR Government, Premadasa Government and the loans taken by DS Senanayake were also paid off. He then goes on to state that the "Kings" never took loans but all the loans which were taken before were paid off. MP Weerawanse the stated that they brought an end to the war by obtaining weapons on credit and that they managed everything.