Striking a chord for good governance and transparency, presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena submitted his asset declaration form to Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday.

“Copies of my asset declaration are also available at my campaign office which is open to all members of the public, if they wish to peruse it,” Sirisena told media personnel at the Opposition leader’s office in Colombo yesterday, after he handed over his nomination.

Sirisena also returned what he said was hundreds of thousands of rupees worth of fuel vouchers provided to him by the Ministry of Health, when he held the portfolio.

“If I give this to any fuel station, it is possible to get millions back in cash. But I have asked an official from the Health Ministry to collect them here from me today,” Sirisena said.

The move was seen as a kick-starter to an election campaign that is pledging to stand against rampant Government corruption, extravagance and abuse of power.

“This is a battle between the power of weapons and wealth and the power of the people,” Sirisena told the news conference. “Weapons have no strength against the might of the people.”

He was flanked by UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka, UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake and a host of other Opposition MPs and personalities.

Courtesy:DailyFT