Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated that he has met pastors Ubert Engel or Jerome Fernando only once and has no relationship with them.
Rajapakse has pointed out that he met them once because of an official request made by Pastor Jerome Fernando’s office.
Mahinda Rajapaksa has said this in response to the allegation that he has a relationship with pastors Ubert Engel and Jerome Fernando.
Rajapaksa has pointed out that he condemns the controversial statements made by Reverend Jerome Fernando regarding Buddhism and other religions and that there is no place in our country for such statements that cause discord or hatred between races.
Rajapaksa has said that he received a request for an official meeting from Pastor Jerome Fernando’s office when he held the positions of Prime Minister and Minister of Religious Affairs.
Mr. Rajapaksa has stated that he as the Minister of Religious Affairs had given priority to meeting religious leaders and representatives at that time with the aim of developing goodwill and looking into the issues being faced and therefore accepted the request.
Rajapakse has indicated that it was a friendly meeting where both the pastors held a prayer for him and his wife and since it was an official meeting, the photos were released to the media and apart from that he has no personal relationship with them.