MP Namal Rajapaksa defends move to appoint MR as PM ; calls it "constitutional" - Watch the interview

MP Namal Rajapaksa speaking to Indian media Wion has defended the move to appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister, by calling it "constitutional".

MP Rajapaksa who had previously accused India of influencing elections and acting against his father's presidency, has said they're "ready to put the past behind."

"Indian influence in the region is very important. India has to play a bigger role when it comes to the region's development - we have always believed that. Before 2015, there was a misrepresentation of his (Rajapaksa's) policies. Now we want to talk about the future, and not the past. We were non-aligned and we always want to be non-aligned," said Namal.

Commenting on China's influence in Sri Lanka, MP Rajapaksa referred to Beijing as Colombo's partner.

He also defended President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to sack the Wickremesinghe government, saying, "Appointing Rajapaksa as Prime Minister was in national interest. Valid reasons were given which were purely based on national interest and keeping in mind national security."