In the letter, Mahinda Rajapaksa recalled that Namal had sought his permission to enter politics. He said he had warned his son to be prepared for imprisonment and hardships.
“If you want to enter politics, do so. But be prepared to go to prison and face hardships,” the former President recalled telling Namal.
He said the advice was based on his own experience of being imprisoned over what he described as baseless allegations shortly after entering politics, before Namal was born.
Mahinda Rajapaksa urged his son to maintain confidence in the judiciary, describing it as his only source of reassurance during his own imprisonment.
“Whatever anyone says, place your trust only in the judiciary,” he said.
The former President also revealed that he and his wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, are receiving treatment at Nawaloka Hospital, where Namal was born. He said their younger sons, Yoshitha and Rohitha Rajapaksa, were looking after them during their hospitalisation.
Referring to legal proceedings involving Yoshitha, Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed that one of the cases against him stemmed from his decision to join the Navy.
The former President also urged Namal not to seek revenge against political opponents if he returned to power. He stressed that the children of political figures should not be held responsible for their parents’ actions.
“Children are not responsible for what their parents do. Not taking revenge is the way and tradition of the Rajapaksas,” he said.
Mahinda Rajapaksa further claimed that his family had been unfairly blamed despite its contribution to ending Sri Lanka’s war. Although the family had suffered electoral defeats, he encouraged Namal to continue believing that the Sri Lankan people were grateful.
The letter concluded with a Buddhist blessing for his son.
The letter comes as Namal Rajapaksa remains in remand custody in connection with ongoing bribery investigations. The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has further remanded Namal Rajapaksa and former Krrish Group director Janaki Siriwardena until November 6, after rejecting their bail applications in the Krrish transaction case.
