President Maithripala Sirisena, upon his return from a personal holiday in Thailand, today said his objective in the new year was to eliminate corruption. 

Sirisena visited Kandy this morning and obtained blessings from the Temple of tooth relic. He also met the Chief prelate of the Malwatte chapter and Anunayake Theras of the Asgiriya chapter. 

He also met Vendaruwe Upali Thera, the Anunayake of the Asgiriya chapter, who recently found himself at the centre of a controversy by requesting former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to "act like Hitler."

"We need to think how many of our politicians really need to eliminate corruption. That remains a burning issue in the country's politics, " Sirisena added. 

"I have hardened my resolve to work against corruption" the President also added.