Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has launched his son Namal into active politics ahead of the April 8 parliamentary polls in which the 23-year- old would contest from the southeastern Hambantota district.
Namal, the eldest of President Rajapaksa`s three sons, addressed a massive gathering in Tangelle town of Hambantota yesterday in the presence of his parents.
"I received my education at my mother`s pre-school. I am proud that I was able to learn the basics under the guidance of my mother," Namal, who runs an NGO called `Tharunyata Hetak` which is involved in public welfare projects, said amid a huge applause.
"In the same way I am very fortunate to have been able to take the first step in politics at this age due to the lessons learnt from my father," he said after touching the feet of his
parents to seek their blessings.
He also symbolically presented his first official document to his father, marking beginning of his political journey, as his emotional mother Shiranthi stood praying with
folded hands.
On the occasion, President Rajapaksa said politics should not be based on violence or vindictiveness.
With the last Presidential elections on January 26 "we have ended both these evil trends in the political arena of our country," said Rajapaksa, who had defeated the opposition
candidate and former army chief Sarath Fonseka in the polls.
PTI
