Marikkar accuses Govt. of circulating video of conversation with President

SJB MP S.M. Marikkar 

• Says conversation took place at funeral sometime back and he was aware it was being recorded 
• Claims President invited him for a chat and asked his opinion on granting vehicle permits to MPs 
• Stresses he has no intention of joining Wickremesinghe and his group 

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar has accused the Government of circulating a viral video of a conversation between him and President Ranil Wickremesinghe on social media. Marikkar claims the video, which shows them discussing the issuance of vehicle permits for Parliamentarians, was released by the President’s associates.

Marikkar explained the conversation took place a few months ago at a funeral in Piliyandala, where the President initiated a discussion with him about vehicle permits. “The President himself invited me for a chat and asked for my opinion on giving vehicle permits to Parliamentarians. I told him he could sign the proposal as Finance Minister and do what he wants,” Marikkar said.

He further said the President released the recording of their conversation only a few days ago, months after the event. Marikkar acknowledged that the President had informed him at the time that the conversation was being recorded. “I have no concerns, as the conversation took place openly in public,” he added.

Marikkar also noted he had previously refused the President’s offer for a ministerial position in the Government formed with the support of the Rajapaksas and that he has no intention of joining that group.

He claimed that the video was circulated on social media by the President’s associates as Wickremesinghe was facing political challenges. “They have circulated this video over social media as Wickremesinghe is about to get politically bankrupt,” Marikkar said. 

The video, which shows Wickremesinghe and Marikkar also discussing the rival National People’s Power (NPP), surfaced amid rumours of attempts to broker an alliance between Wickremesinghe and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa to defeat the NPP in the upcoming polls.