Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday visited the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy to seek divine blessings prior to launching his party’s election campaign.   
“This is the nature of politics. We must face challenges,” he said, when asked of members leaving his party just ahead of the LG polls.  

When asked whether there were moves to delay the LG polls, Basil Rajapaksa said that it should be asked from the government adding that he is not in the government.  
“I don’t think the election will be delayed. We are preparing for the election,” he said.