Presidential candidate and incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa told supporters his campaign was based on policies rather than personalities, soon after submitting his nomination for the 8 January election yesterday.

“This is a journey based on a political philosophy, this journey is not about individuals and personalities,” he said.

It was at the scene that President Rajapaksa announced that UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake would be joining his Government.

“It is not difficult to get UNPers to join,” the President said.

His door was always open, he added.

President Rajapaksa addressed large crowds of supporters who had arrived to greet them near the Elections Secretariat. Waving identical flags and posters, the supporters cheered madly as President Rajapaksa arrived in their midst in an open air minibus. A large screen television erected close by had broadcasted the nominations process live to the President’s supporters.

Large cut-outs of the President marked the road to the Secretariat, despite the Elections Commissioner’s repeated request that these materials not be erected in the vicinity.

Courtesy:DailyFT