At a special media briefing at the presidential secretariat this afternoon, the president said he has no dealing whatsoever with Rajapaksa, and that he had strongly objected to his being given nominations.

Had he been not given nominations from the UPFA, Rajapaksa should definitely have contested from other party, and there was an attempt to move a no-confidence motion against the prime minister, bring Rajapaksa to parliament on the national list and make him the PM, he said.

He said that contrary to allegations by some, his decision to accept chairmanship of the SLFP was a correct one, noting that had Rajapaksa become the chairman, the SLFP would not have supported the 100 day programme of the minority government, which ultimately would not have benefitted the people.

President Sirisena went onto say that when the Central Bank bond issue came up, he urged the PM to ask the CB governor to resign, as the PM had an unblemished name.

Won’t support Rajapaksa

He assured that he would not be biased at the general election and would not support Rajapaksa.

In the past few days, he said, he had been subjected to insults and name callings, such as wicked person and betrayer, which no other president had experienced, adding that the freedom to hurl such insults was there due to the media freedom ensured after his election.

He said he knew the fate of those who criticize him with such name callings would be, had they used such words before January 08.

He asked that the democracy restored to the country through his battle be not abused.

Several journalists were murdered, Poddala Jayantha, Keith Noyar, Namal Perera and many other journalists beaten up during the Rajapaksa regime and there had been accusations that it had severely undermined the freedom of expression.