He stressed this last night when answering selected questions among hundreds received to BBC Sinhala service’s facebook page.

The minister said the former Army commander has proved by his remarks that a conspiracy had been planned at dawn on the day presidential election results were announced.

He went onto say that Rajapaksa would never become a prime minister, and would not go beyond being a backbench MP.

The minister answered the following 10 questions posed to him by Colombo correspondent of BBC Sandeshaya Asam Ameen.

Q. Is it true the Chinese government is funding the election campaign of Mahinda Rajapaksa?

A: I saw reports to that effect published in social media. But, I don’t think the Chinese government would fall to such depth.

Q: Can Sri Lankans who remit money home be given duty free vehicle permits?

A: Those who remit money to the country should be given concessions. After calculating the expenses to be incurred by the government, privileges to expatriate Lankans can be discussed.

Q: If Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes the PM, will he be able to work with president Maithripala Sirisena?

A: Mahinda Rajapaksa will never become the PM. He will not go beyond being a backbench MP.

Q: What is the advantage of bringing the LTTE diaspora home?

A: Diaspora means all Sri Lankans abroad. They are Sri Lankans. Sri Lanka should make use of their various talents. What is wrong in getting sons of Lanka home who are a pride to the country?

Q: Do you know about a plan to publish a fake UN report to gain advantage during the election period?

A: Yes. There is such a plan. This is yet another tactic of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s bankrupt politics. During the last presidential election too, a fake agreement was produced.

Q: What will a UNP government do if the upcoming UN war crimes report finds Lankans guilty?

A: The presidential election manifesto clearly says an international investigation will not be allowed. A local mechanism will be considered to investigate allegations of human rights violations. Action will be taken pursuant to the release of the Geneva report in September.

Q: Is there any acceptable evidence to support your allegation that Mahinda Rajapaksa has 18 billion dollars of foreign assets?

A: Investigations are underway with the support of a World Bank unit and four countries. The money is there under fake names and fake companies. Such investigations cannot be completed within a month or two.

Q: Do you justify the controversial Central Bank bond issue?

A: Until the allegation is proven, the governor should be treated as not guilty. There is no evidence that a wrongdoing had taken place. I believe this to be a charge made to discredit the government politically.

Q: You spoke about a conspiracy at dawn on the day presidential election results were announced. What is happening?

A: I not only spoke about it, but also lodged a complaint to the CID. Investigations are underway. The former Army commander has said that if not for him, the country would have no democracy left. That itself proves the conspiracy.

Q: You said in February that president Sirisena will remain independent. Is that part of a plan?

A: Anyone understanding politics can see that we are on a practical track. He will have to act independently as a president who was elected by the majority vote of the UNPers and in consideration of the country and the winners.