Namal Rajapaksa fires back at Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake over Southern Expressway claims, calling them politically motivated and misleading.
Namal Rajapaksa Slams Bimal Rathnayake Over Southern Expressway Accusations
SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has strongly rejected allegations made by Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake in Parliament regarding alleged irregularities in the construction of the Southern Expressway, accusing the minister of misleading the House and stirring up political hatred.
Taking to social media platform X, Rajapaksa condemned the remarks, calling them an attempt to tarnish the Rajapaksa family’s legacy.
“It is disappointing to see Minister @BimalRathnayake misleading Parliament with false narratives just to spread hatred towards the Rajapaksas, a narrative they have been using to cover up their failures,” he posted.
Minister Rathnayake had earlier claimed in Parliament that certain expressway access points were constructed to serve private political interests, suggesting that segments of the road were designed for the convenience of individuals close to the then-government, rather than for public use.
In response, Namal Rajapaksa clarified that the land used for the Southern Expressway’s only service station was legally leased by the Road Development Authority (RDA) to the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, both of which are state-owned entities.
He added that the service station is functioning as intended, providing essential services to thousands of commuters and travelers daily, and that such infrastructure was built for public benefit, not private gain.
The exchange has further fueled the ongoing political debate over infrastructure development transparency and the legacy of the Rajapaksa-era projects, with both sides defending their narratives vigorously.
