Time is ripe for Mahinda Rajapaksa to retire from politics despite the fact that he is still the most popular politician in Sri Lanka, said state minister Lohan Ratwatte.
He said in Kandy yesterday (22) that no other leader had served the country more than the former president Rajapaksa.
Ratwatte also said there was no dispute between his SLPP and incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The party is prepared even to join with the UNP for the betterment of the public, he said.
Ratwatte asked the opposition to understand that holding elections cannot be forced.
The state minister added that he was ready to leave politics once rejected by the people, and not due to fear of any protestors.