Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has written an emotional letter to his son, MP Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody, recalling the advice he gave him when he first entered politics in 2010.
In the letter, Mahinda Rajapaksa said Namal had sought his permission to enter politics and that he had warned him to be prepared for imprisonment and hardship.
“If you want to enter politics, do so. But be prepared to go to prison and face hardships,” the former President recalled telling his son.
He said the advice was based on his own experience of being imprisoned over what he described as baseless allegations shortly after entering politics, before Namal was born.
Mahinda Rajapaksa urged his son to maintain his faith in the judiciary, saying it had been his only source of confidence during his own imprisonment.
“Whatever anyone says, place your trust only in the judiciary,” he said.
The former President also revealed that he and his wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, are currently receiving treatment at Nawaloka Hospital, where Namal was born.
He said Namal’s younger brothers, Yoshitha and Rohitha, were looking after them during their hospitalisation.
Referring to legal proceedings involving Yoshitha, Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed that one case against him stemmed from his decision to join the Navy.
He also urged Namal not to seek revenge against political opponents if he returned to power, saying the children of political figures should not be held responsible for their parents’ actions.
“Children are not responsible for what their parents do. Not taking revenge is the way and tradition of the Rajapaksas,” he said.
The former President further claimed that the Rajapaksa family had been unfairly blamed despite its contribution to ending the country’s war.
Although the family had suffered electoral defeats, he urged Namal to continue believing that Sri Lankans were a grateful people.
The letter concluded with a Buddhist blessing for his son.
The letter comes as Namal Rajapaksa remains in remand custody in connection with ongoing bribery investigations. The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court further remanded him and former Krrish Group director Janaki Siriwardena until November 6 after rejecting their bail applications in the Krrish transaction case. (Newswire)
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