In a rallying cry laced with irony and political defiance, SLPP Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa declared that he would pursue the current government with the same intensity it has pursued him—this time over its own broken promises and a notorious offshore money trail.
Addressing a gathering at a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) local government election rally, Rajapaksa flipped the script on recent anti-corruption narratives. “They passed a bill to catch thieves, so I’ll chase this government until they bring back their money from Uganda,” he quipped, referencing long-circulated rumors about hidden foreign assets—rumors once weaponized against him and his family.
“The next five years cannot be spent on lies, jailing a few people, and pretending the country is on the right track,” Rajapaksa warned. “The people gave them a mandate for change, but all they’ve delivered is political drama.”
His comments come at a time when the ruling coalition has doubled down on corruption prosecutions and institutional reforms, efforts which critics say are often selectively applied. Rajapaksa has long argued that the administration is less interested in systemic reform and more focused on character assassination.
But in a striking reversal of roles, Rajapaksa claimed that it is now the government, not him, that should be held accountable. “If they’re serious about corruption, let them start by recovering their own money stashed abroad. I’ll be the first to help them chase it down,” he said, drawing applause from his supporters.
Though he stopped short of naming names or presenting evidence, the statement marked a clear attempt to reposition himself as an opposition firebrand determined to expose government hypocrisy—rather than defend against it.
Political observers say Rajapaksa’s remarks signal a strategic pivot, one that trades defense for offense as the SLPP seeks to regroup amid slipping public confidence.
Whether it’s a well-timed counterattack or political theater, one thing is certain: the Uganda money saga is far from over—and this time, it’s Namal who’s doing the chasing.
