Common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena Sirisena today urged the Inspector General of Police and the Elections Commissioner to remove all cut-outs and posters pertaining to the election after December 08- the last date of nominations.
While commenting on the propaganda campaign launched by the ruling party, Sirisena said President Rajapaksa can stick posters and hang large cutouts even on top of Adam’s Peak. He also assured that the common opposition will not use polythene or cut-outs during the election campaign.
The common candidate, who addressed the press conference just one week after his defection from the government, said there has been a great deal of progress over the past seven days.
“We will continue to give concessions proposed by the Budget 2015 after coming to power. Also the present development projects will be carried out at one third of today’s cost,” the common candidate told reporters in Colombo. He also pledged to increase financial allocations for the pension scheme of farmers.
He also stated that on the subject of accountability, the common opposition will follow the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission appointed by President Rajapaksa in the aftermath of war.
Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who joined the political campaign of the common candidate last week said, Sirisena will stage his first political rally in Polonnaruwa on November 30.
Speaking on various allegations that have been leveled against the first family by the opposition, Senaratne said there is no one to write about the Rajapaksa Family because there is no media freedom in the country.
Meanwhile, speaking at the event,UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said the incumbent President of Sri Lanka has more powers than any other President in the world and that is why the United National Party is pressing for the abolition of Excutive Presidency.
JHU Parliamentarian Athuraliye Rathana Thera, who said yesterday that the party is open-minded about working with Maithripala Sirisena, also attended the press conference.
