President leading us to new horizons - Thilanga

Former Asian Cricket Council chief and ex-Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala said his aim is to make Colombo a major stakeholder in President Mahinda Rajapaksa's efforts to make Sri Lanka a world wonder.

Launching his General Election campaign as a candidate of the UPFA for the Colombo District, Western Provincial Councillor Sumathipala said President Rajapaksa is leading Sri Lanka towards new economic horizons after liberating the country from a three-decade-long LTTE terror.

Sumathipala said his entry to politics was on an invitation made by the President and that he is impressed by the progress made under the President's able leadership during the past four years.

He said the President invited him to join national politics without confining his services to the Provincial Council. "Immediately after the Western Provincial Council elections, the President told me to be ready to contest the General elections. My aim is to serve people in the Colombo District under the President's dynamic leadership and see the development that is taking place all over the island," he said.

Sumathipala's election campaign was kicked off near All Saints' Church, Borella on Friday with a massive gathering and the procession continued up to Punchi Borella junction where a religious ceremony was held. Amongst the distinguished gathering to extend support to Sumathipala were Ministers A.H.M. Fowzie and T.B. Ekanayake.