Mahinda refuses to talk politics at former Minister’s funeral

Former President and Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday lashed out at reporters for asking inappropriate questions at the funeral of his former Minister and dissident, M.K.D.S. Gunewardane, who passed away on Tuesday.

The former President paid his respects at the Gampaha residence of the late Minister and long time SLFP member yesterday. Asked by reporters upon his exit from the funeral if he was willing to forgive Gunewardane for his betrayal ahead of the January 2015 presidential election, Rajapaksa responded that such questions were inappropriate at the former Minister’s funeral.

“Learn to tell the difference between a funeral house, a wedding and political platform; you are trying to make this a political issue, I am here to pay my respects,” Rajapaksa admonished journalists crowding him for a statement.

The late Minister quit Rajapaksa’s Cabinet in November 2014, walking out with Maithripala Sirisena when he walked out of the former Government to contest the incumbent in the presidential poll.

Minister Gunewardane’s funeral will be held with state honours in Kantale on Saturday (23).