At least 12 former ministers and electoral organisers of the United National Party have recently met with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, requesting that he appoint them to government positions.
They claim that they are unable to live a normal life due to the prevailing conditions in the country.
According to political sources, this group has requested former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to appoint them to positions such as chairmen and working directors of state corporations and other institutions in order to face the pressures and challenges that have arisen owing to the current economic situation.
They have also informed Mahinda Rajapaksa that the reason for meeting him was that none of their demands have been fulfilled since the time the current President was Prime Minister.
Accordingly, several UNP activists who made representations to Mahinda Rajapaksa have been offered high positions in corporations and it has been brought to the notice of the President.
The number of people who have sought positions from the government is about 12. Insiders told Lankasara that Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa call the shots as far as the government is concerned, and the current president merely implements their recommendations.