Sri Lankan minister says Rajapaksas have achieved what the Bandaranaikes could not in the Gampaha District

A Sri Lankan government minister said that Rajapaksas have managed to achieve certain feats in the Gampaha District that could not be achieved by the Bandaranaikes in their hometown.

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva made the comment referring to the victory of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in the Wattala Urban Council after 53 years. The Council was earlier ruled by the UNP.

Addressing a public gathering in Kiribathgoda, Silva said that a member of D.A. Rajapaksa's family, Basil Rajapaksa under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has managed to win the local government bodies in the Gampaha District that were not won during the Bandaranaikes' tenure.

"Most of what the Bandaranaikes have been unable to do in the Gampaha District have been done under the leadership of Basil Rajapaksa," he said.

However, Silva added that the Bandaranaikes should be given their due respect, but that it is Basil Rajapaksa who has managed to achieve over 90 percent of the victories in the District.