By Dasun Edirisinghe

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that he would continue in politics to honour the vote at Monday’s election.

He said that he would go to Parliament as a newly elected member on Sept. 01.

“I accept with humility the result of the just concluded parliamentary election. I thank the voters who reposed their confidence in our party despite the unprecedented obstacles that we had to face,” Rajapaksa said in a statement.

The former President said that he would function as a parliamentarian to safeguard the nation and democratic system as he had always done with commitment.

Asked whether he would function as the Opposition Leader in the 8th Parliament, a close associate of the former President said no such decision had been made yet.

Rajapaksa also thanked all supporters of the SLFP led UPFA for helping him to secure nearly half a million preferential votes from the Kurunegala District. “I will continue to engage in politics in keeping with the people’s mandate and I will function within Parliament.”

Rajapaksa secured 423,529 preferential votes at August 17 election.

Courtesy:The Island