Maithri kicks off polls campaign

Common opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena today began his election campaign at his electorate in Pollonaruwa by pledging not to use cutouts or polythene as part of his election campaign.

Speaking at the rally in the presence of opposition United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other senior UNP members, Sirisena said that while cutouts of President Mahinda Rajapaksa had already appeared at several locations, his image will be cutout in the hearts of the public.

Maithripala Sirisena said that he had nothing personal against President Mahinda Rajapaksa and that the concerns he had were only based on principle and policy.

He said that around six months ago he had raised his concerns over corruption in the Government but he was told he cannot sit in the Government and raise such concerns.

Sirisena told the participants at the rally that eventually he could no longer remain in the Government when opinions are not taken seriously.

“If decisions are taken based on what one family thinks. If the central committee decisions are not accepted. If there cannot be space for debate within the party, I am unable to remain in the Government,” he said.

He said that today Ministers, Government officials, the police and the media are unable to carry out their duties independently without fear and intimidation.

Sirisena said that in his opinion it is better to die a hero than live in fear and he left the Government by placing his life and that of his family in the hands of the nation. (Colombo Gazette)