Businessman Thilak Weerasinghe, the father-in-law of SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa, who is currently in remand custody, has dismissed speculation that his daughter Limini Weerasinghe is preparing to enter active politics, saying her immediate responsibility should be to support her husband and their children.
Speaking in a detailed interview with the “Truth with Chamuditha” YouTube channel, Weerasinghe said he was unaware of any decision by Limini to take the stage at the SLPP rally scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on Sept. 12.
“As of now, I don’t know that Limini is going to take the stage in Anuradhapura,” he said, adding that he did not believe such a move would be appropriate under the present circumstances.
Weerasinghe said Limini’s priority should be her family while Rajapaksa remains in remand custody.
“At this moment, her duty is not to get on political stages. She has other responsibilities — to look after the family, the children and Namal,” he said.
Asked whether he would oppose Limini appearing on stage at the rally, Weerasinghe said he believed it would be “not suitable” at this point.
He also rejected speculation that Limini could emerge as a future presidential candidate if Rajapaksa was prevented from contesting.
Weerasinghe said there had been no such discussion within the family and questioned how the claim had gained such prominence.
Asked about the possibility of Limini entering politics in the future if Rajapaksa were given a lengthy prison sentence, however, Weerasinghe said that would be a different situation and political decisions could then be considered.
He stressed that Rajapaksa’s current legal situation should not automatically be used as a reason for Limini to enter politics.
During the interview, Weerasinghe also rejected allegations that Namal Rajapaksa had been involved in his businesses or that his companies had been used to convert alleged illicit funds into legitimate assets.
He said Rajapaksa had no partnership or financial involvement in his businesses and maintained that funds entering his companies had come through legal channels. (Newswire)
