Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda
Rajapaksa has said the victory against LTTE was achieved by
the security forces and no one can claim it as an individual
victory, in an apparent reference to Sarath Fonseka's plans
to project him as a 'war hero' in the Presidential polls.
Rajapaksa made the comments at an interaction with
senior journalists here amid indications that the former Army
Chief will challenge him in the January 26 Presidential Polls
as common Opposition candidate.
"People of all walks of life including the security
forces were involved in the eradication of terrorism led by
him and no one can claim it as an individual victory,"
Rajapaksa was quoted as telling a group of senior editors by
Daily News.
Fonseka, who quit as Chief of Defence Staff a
fortnight ago following a spat with Rajapaksa, is likely to
formally announce his candidature tomorrow.
He is widely credited for the military victory against
the LTTE and he will project him as a 'war hero' during the
polls, which is expected to be a keen contest.
Rajapaksa also said he decided to advance the
Presidential polls by nearly two years to provide an
opportunity for the Tamils in north and eastern Lanka to
exercise their franchise.
"I think that the people in the North and East should
have a right to get involved in the election of President in
their land," Rajapaksa, who will contest the January 26
Presidential Polls as the ruling party candidate, said.
The decision was also to give an opportunity to the
people in the North and East whose right to vote was "deprived
by the LTTE at the last Presidential election".
He said he was committed to lead the development drive
in the country. "The media should provide more balanced and
accurate news to the public. This election is turning out to
be a mud slinging campaign," the Daily News quoted Rajapaksa
to say.
Rajapaksa said fraud and corruption is closely
entwined with the system of open economy. The open economic
system paved the way for the genesis of fraud and corruption
in the country, he said.
He said the Government will take every possible step
to curb corruption and fraud in the country.
"The country needed a stable government in facing the
threat of terrorism and reuniting the country," he said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, November 28, 2009, 17:54