"I Was Not Leading The Army": Gotabhaya Rajapaksa Says During Inaugural Press Conference

Former Defence Secretary and SLPP candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said he was not the one who led the Army.

Rajapaksa, addressing a press conference in Colombo earlier today, said any question about the conduct of the Army during the last stages of war should be directed to the Army Commander at the time.

The Army Commander during the final phase of the war was Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who is expected to be appointed the Defence Minister under UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa's presidency.

"You are talking all the time in the past, ask about the future. I am trying to become the President of future Sri Lanka" SLPP Candidate Rajapaksa said.

However, when asked about he was planning to raise funds for his proposed development projects, the SLPP candidate directed the question to his brother, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

When asked as to who would be the head of the government under a Gotabhaya Rajapaksa presidency, the Opposition Leader said, "We can handle that between us."

The press conference was attended by all party leaders supporting Rajapaksa.