President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday declared that on 16 November people voted out the culture of ”politicking with lies” and he prefers to continue to distance himself with such a philosophy. 

“Telling lies has been an integral part of Sri Lanka’s political culture. On 16 November people rejected such a culture as they were fed up. I have and will continue to distance myself from such a culture and people have voted me to office because of that,” Rajapaksa told editors of media organisations yesterday.

His remarks were in response to statements made by UNPer Dr. Rajitha Senaratne prior to the Presidential Elections alleging Rajapaksa was responsible for the white van syndrome as claimed by two persons at a media briefing. Yesterday these two persons were produced in court after being arrested on Sunday.

“Rajitha is a politician,” said Rajapaksa suggesting the former was among those who were politicking with lies. “In fact the more lies they said the more people voted for me,” quipped the President. 

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