Ex-President cries foul over raid on Tangalle home 

• Pays courtesy call on Chief prelates in Kandy

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday criticised a police raid on his family home in Tangalle, saying it had been a first in his political life. Police obtained a warrant from the Tangalle Magistrate on Monday to conduct a search of Carlton House following a tip off that luxury racing cars were being stored at the premises. “It is okay if they found something, but they didn’t” complained the former President who was on a pilgrimage in Kandy yesterday, followed around by large crowds of supporters. The defeated President asked if taking revenge on political opponents was ‘good governance’ and condemned post-election violence against his supporters. “Innocent people voted and it is not fair to take revenge on them. It is happening all over the country,” the ex-President told reporters. He added that he would remain committed to represent the aspirations of the people. Visiting the hill capital for the first time since his defeat in the 8 January election, President Rajapaksa paid calls on the chief prelates of the Malwatte, Asgiriya and Ramayana chapters. He also paid his respects at the Sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy during his visit. President Rajapaksa’s second son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa also accompanied his father to Kandy. The former naval officer was not in uniform during the visit. Reports emerged that Yoshitha Rajapaksa had been decommissioned from the Navy on 9 January, before President Rajapaksa left Temple Trees following his defeat. However Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya told Daily FT that the officer was still in active service and assigned to the Naval Headquarters in Colombo. The Spokesman did not comment on whether the former President’s son was reporting for duty. (DB)