22 candidates in the fray:

Presidential polls campaign begins

by Manjula FERNANDO

On Thursday, December 17 special invitees representing different political parties and different candidates were seated in a special room on the third floor along the Elections Secretariat Sarana Road Rajagiriya to hear the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake officially declare the Presidential poll campaign after accepting the longest nominations list in the Sri Lankan Presidential election history with 23 candidates vying to enter the fray. After observing objections one nomination was rejected by the Commissioner. Two more objections including that of Gen.Sarath Fonseka filed by Sarath Kongahage, another Presidential candidate was turned down, leaving space for judicial redress, due to non availability of documentary proof.

Sunday Observer spoke to some of the invitees supporting the Government candidate and the main opposition leaders for their comments on the polls,

Mrs.Ferial Ashraff

“I think the country knows reason enough why we have to support the President. There is no question of anybody giving us any other reason as why we should not, for having given us this free country. I think people of Sri Lanka have a duty to support the President and this is the moment for all of us to get together. I think it is a foregone conclusion that our President is winning. He’s going to be the President again.”

“I don’t think this is the moment to talk about communities as such. I think we are Sri Lankans first.

He has done his duty by all Sri Lankans and the next term he’s going to take care of all the communities and their issues, So it’s time for all these communities to get together and support him so that he could solve the other issues during his next term.” Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva

People in the North and the East are grateful to him for eradicating terrorism and bringing democracy to that part of the country.

His long term experience in the political field is incomparable to any other candidate. He has an unblemished political character and experience for the past 40 years.

Minister Dew Gunasekera

“It is for the first time an ex-military leader has entered an election campaign. In my view it an introduction of a new element to the spectrum of politics. This might lead to the militarization of politics as well as politicization of the military. We have international experience, particularly the experience of the Asian countries where military has entered the political field resulting in dictatorship and assassinations of Prime Ministers and Presidents.

I hope people who have experience since 1931 in exercising their franchise will think twice before they cast their vote and in order to safeguard democracy all people should rally round the democratic leader who has an unblemished record for over 40 years.

It is a contest between 40 years and 40 days political experience. Am sure people will do justice.”

Senior Presidential Advisor and parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa

“The people of the country have decided already. It is a matter of going to the polling booth and casting their vote. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has changed history. It is about the future of every child and citizen of Sri lanka.”

Minister Thondaman

“President will win the election with a very clear majority. He will receive the full endorsement of the plantation sector people. We can assure that to him. “

Maithreepala Sirisena

We are confident President will win this election with a majority exceeding all the previous elections.With a political career and maturity of 40 years, only he could steer this country towards prosperity. The entire country is awaiting his re-election at the forthcoming polls.

Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa

“I believe enthusiasm for the presidential election is very good. There is a large spectrum of candidates representing all sections of the communities. This is a very healthy sign for democracy. We are quite confident of our victory. President Rajapaksa has done a lot to the country. The elections will be held in a united country after eradicating terrorism.

We are quite confident that all communities will vote for him in great numbers to ensure a better future in terms of economic, social and political well being and the establishment of democracy.”

Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan)

“The reason behind our support to the President is that we believe his stance and vision in terms of the Eastern Province is one with ours normality will prevail in the Eastern province. If this situation continues the Eastern Provincial Council will be strengthened and the Province will be developed. President’s vision and our vision are the same. That is why we rally behind the President at the forthcoming polls.”

JVP MP Vijitha Herath

“We are confident that our candidate will emerge victorious at the forthcoming polls. He will be our candidate representing all the communities. The first thing we will do after his election is to abolish executive presidency and implement the 17th amendment.”

UNP MP Sajith Premadasa

The party leadership took a decision to support Gen.Fonseka and we all endorsed that decision. We are confident our presidential candidate will win the forthcoming election and then fulfill the pledges to end corruption and develop the country.”

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake

“We call upon the Government to ensure a democratic, free and fair election. The country is watching this significant election. If we secure victory, we will abolish the Executive Presidency. We will implement the 17th Amendment. We will dissolve Parliament and hold a clean General Election.”

[Presidential candidates ]

Political parties 17

Independent 5

No of registered Voters 14,088,500

Voters with valid IDs 88 %

Polling booths 17,000

Past candidates 1982-6, 1988-3, 1994-6, 1999-13, 2005-13 No change in polling centres in South and East

Discussions were being held yesterday to finalise centres in the liberated North.

Source- Elections Secretariat