They decided to call off the fast when several pledges including a lifetime pension scheme equal to the salary were promised by Rajapaksa to be fulfilled under a future government.
Interestingly, Rajapaksa’s visit to the venue of the fast came soon after United National Party (UNP) presidential candidate, Minister Sajith Premadasa visited the protesting war heroes and pledged that he will stand for their grievances and discuss the matter at the Cabinet meeting.
The war heroes agreed and welcomed Premadasa’s initiative.
Soon afterwards, Rajapaksa loyalist MP Arundika Fernando arrived at the venue and said Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa would speak on their behalf and would visit them in a few days. Nevertheless, seeing the impact Premadasa’s visit had on the war heroes, the MP informed the situation to his party leaders and Opposition Leader Rajapaksa made his way to the protesters a few minutes later.
Rajapaksa immediately pledged to address their grievances under a future government and gave water to the protesters and called for an end to the fast.
However, Premadasa said at an event yesterday evening that the Rajapaksas were agitated by his visit and decided to call an end to the fast that was initiated by them since addressing the issues Premadasa would have otherwise received the merit for addressing the protesters’ issues.
“All that only went to show who was really behind the protests,” Premadasa said.
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