Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 25 : Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Sri Lanka's former Army chief renowned for his role in defeating the LTTE, officially declared his candidacy for the upcoming Presidential election, pledging to tackle corruption and revitalise the economy.
The exact date for the presidential election in Sri Lanka, scheduled between September 17 and October 16, will be announced on Friday.
"I wish to announce my candidacy for the Presidency to the people of Sri Lanka," Fonseka said in a post X.
"For 76 years, we have been led by an inept political group that has driven us to bankruptcy. For Sri Lanka to grow, we need to crush corruption. We need to leverage our natural resources to boost income generation. This is my formal and official announcement as the Presidential candidate of Sri Lanka for the 2024 Presidential election," he said.
"My team and I will publish our policy statement. We are open to ideas and will uphold the principles of inclusive governance and inclusive leadership. Suggestions are always welcome," Fonseka further said.
Fonseka, who led the military campaign against the LTTE's separatist ambitions, faced defeat in the 2010 presidential election against Mahinda Rajapaksa. Undeterred by past challenges, the 73-year-old Fonseka called upon all Sri Lankans to join him in creating a corruption-free nation.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe also threw his hat into the ring, emphasising the critical nature of the upcoming election for the nation's future.
"This election would be crucial for the nation's future", Rajapakshe said making a statement.
The political landscape is further crowded with opposition leaders like Sajith Premadasa and the Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, both confirming their candidacy. Additionally, President Ranil Wickremesinghe will seek re-election.
The Elections Commission announced it would unveil the election date imminently, while asserting it bore no responsibility for statements made by various parties on polling day, as reported by the Daily Mirror newspaper.
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