Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he will retire from politics when the time is right.

The former president has made these remarks during an interview with the Sunday Times newspaper.

However, he has also said that he will continue in politics.

Mr. Rajapaksa said that it is up to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to decide whether he fits to lead and said that he is ready to even step down if necessary.

He said that he can practice law as well since he is a lawyer.

He has also said that had former President and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa consulted him before leaving the country, he would have informed Gotabaya not to leave.

Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa also said. “If he asked me whether to go, I would have said no, don’t go. Gotabhaya is not a politician. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not responsible for all the country’s crisis. Everybody including me and the previous governments would have to answer.

Unfortunately, he acted on the advice of the experts he trusted. Therefore, he cannot be blamed. When he was Defence Secretary he displayed good administrative skills.

As President, he was subject to heavy pressure. He was a hardliner before. He became soft later. He should not have done what he did, Gotabaya is not a politician. He should have finished the task before him properly."

Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe is the best leader to manage the economic crisis and that he supports Mr. Wickremesinghe.

The former president also said that all political parties should come together to solve the crisis in the country and everyone should work in unison on behalf of the country.

Although Mr. Rajapaksa said that Ranil is the best leader to tackle the economic crisis, he earlier said that he voted for SLPP candidate Dallas Alahapperuma during the election held to elect the President.