The former Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, said the new government was run by western lackeys.
"The country had entered an era of ‘mega deals’ under the new government which was run by the lackeys of western powers," Mr Rajapaksa was quoted by The Island newspaper as saying, whilst addressing crowds at a May Day rally on Friday, organised by a splinter group of the UPFA.
"Under the UPFA rule [during his presidency] those forces had not been allowed to dictate terms to Sri Lanka," he added.
"Under my rule we experienced the most difficult period in the country’s political history and we were able to establish peace, but it is despicable the manner in which the present government is not making any effort to protect the peace dividend gained with much sacrifice," he said.
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