Common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena said that he did not shake the hand of President Mahinda Rajapaksa after nominations were handed over.

Speaking at a meeting yesterday, Sirisena said that President Rajapaksa attempted to extend his hand towards him, but he did not want to stain his clean hands by taking it. Therefore, he kept his hands together in a greeting in a true Sinhala Buddhist style, Sirisena added.

He went on to say that he had the guts and the temperament of a lion to stay steadfast to his decision of not shaking the hand of the president.

Sirisena further stated that the government had reduced oil and gas prices within a week after his defection and said that it showed how afraid the government is. It will fumble with fear during the next few weeks as the campaign moves on, he quipped.