Sri Lanka’s Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe announced he will be running for president at the upcoming presidential election.

“I am coming forward as a candidate for the victory of Sri Lanka state and its people,” Rajapakshe told reporters at the Independence Arcade on Thursday.

Rajapakshe said short sighted policies led to an economic crisis and poverty.

Announcing his manifesto, the minister said special banks were needed for entrepreneurs, and that the State sector has to be made efficient and the private sector sector has to be regulated.

Friendship has to be maintained with all countries with a priority on neighbors, Rajapakshe said.

He claimed to have already brought a law to strengthen a bribery commission, and that he has signed a cabinet paper on proceeds of crime bill today.

The minister said he has taken steps to bring about national reconciliation.

“There is no bar against being a minister and running for president.”

COURTESY:ECONOMY NEXT