Govt. politically witch-hunting professionals: Mahinda

Says Godahewa is a political prisoner ; Insists former SEC Chairman and others targeted for supporting his tenure 

Criticising the arrest of former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ChairmanNalaka Godahewa, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday charged that the Government was conducting a political witch-hunt against political leaders and professionals who backed him during his term. 

Rajapaksa expressed these thoughts at an interview to BBC Sandeshaya and stressed that he had visited Welikada prison hospital to meet Godahewa, not the intelligence officers who are held in custody regarding the allegations of abducting and murdering Journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. 

Commenting on Godahewa and the intelligence personnel in custody, Rajapaksa claimed they all were punished because of him. “These professionals and officers were beside me during my tenure in office and they gave their support to continue my political career. 



Now they have become political prisoners,” he charged. 

Rajapaksa also alleged that the intelligence officers are kept in prison under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).