Presidential race begins...

RW calls for a fresh mandate to create a bright future

President says took over the nation and brought stability By Yohan Perera Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe who handed over his nomination to contest the presidential elections today called for a fresh mandate to create a bright future for the nation. “I seek the people’s mandate to create a bright future for the people of Sri Lanka. We took over the nation and brought stability. You have food, fuel and other essential items now. This is only a beginning. There is much to be done to convert Sri Lanka into a stabilized nation. Therefore I request the people to give us a mandate to fulfill our task,” he said. “Opposition members ran away when they were asked to take over the nation during the crisis period. Decide whether you are going to hand over the nation to such persons,” he told the people.

Sajith pledges to bring in era of the common masses

Says only a handful of people reap the benefits of development today By Yohan Perera Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Sajith Premadasa, who handed over his nomination today to contest the Presidential election, pledged to bring in an era of the common masses. “I promise to create an era of the common masses. I will create a situation where everyone in the nation can enjoy the benefits of development. Only a handful of people reap the benefits of development today,” he said. “I appeal to the common masses to rally round me,” he added.

Only NPP can make the change people want: Anura Kumara

Country and its people have faced immense hardships By Ajith Siriwardana Claiming that the people are badly in need of a change, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday the National People’s Power (NPP) is the only camp capable of making that change. After submitting nominations he told the media that the country and its people have faced immense hardships for years even though so many elections have been held in the past. “We can win this election. The country and its people have faced immense hardships over the years. People are badly in need of changing this situation. We can turn this election to rescue people and the country from hardships. The NPP and its candidate are the only camp to make that change,” he said.

Namal pledges to build a future for the youth

Says will introduce economic and political reforms best suited for the nation SLPP candidate Namal Rajapaksa pledged to safeguard the unitary status of the country and to introduce economic and political reforms which are best suited for the nation. “We will build a better future for our youth. We are confident these objectives could be fulfilled. “Anyone can change political camps but people of this country will not change. You will soon see who will back me,” he also said.