UNP Kurunegala candidate Nalin Bandara said that the people of Kurunegala did not ask for the return of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to politics from their district.
Bandara stated this when asked about Rajapaksa's claim that he returned to politics due to overwhelming requests made by the people.
Speaking to Asian Mirror yesterday, Bandara said that Rajapaksa's candidacy was a blessing in disguise for the UNP. He claimed that even the moderate SLFP supporters are questioning the return of Rajapaksa, who is a defeated candidate. Only those who blindly follow him support Rajapaksa, Bandara insisted.
He further said that he was certain of UNP victory in the Bingiriya Electorate and the Kurunegala District.
Nalin Bandara is the UNP Chief Organizer in Bingiriya.
Although the UPFA campaign slogan speaks about starting afresh, there are no fresh faces among the main candidates of the UPFA, Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka said.
Speaking at an election rally last evening at Maharagama, Ranawaka said that the United National Front for Good Governance has put forward some fresh faces to the election campaign.
Furthermore, those who support good governance principles have gathered around the UNFGG, he added. Ranawaka insisted that the UPFA will be soundly defeated in the August 17 election.
A protest against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was held near the burial ground where former Havelock's Captain Wasim Thajudeen's body was exhumed this morning.
Protestors carried placards attacking Rajapaksa, whose family is being accused by certain parties of involvement in the alleged murder.
Both the former President and his elder son Namal Rajapaksa have denied any involvement with the alleged murder.
Thajudeen's body was exhumed amidst heavy security this morning at the Dehiwela Muslim burial grounds.
Sports and Tourism Minister Navin Dissanayake alleged that there was a 'mafia' in Sri Lanka's sports sector during the former government's rule.
The 'mafia' was run by the three sons of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Dissanayake claimed at a meeting in Maskeliya recently.
Dissanayake, who was part of the former government until his defection to the Maithripala Sirisena camp during the recent presidential election, said that the 'mafia' was broken after the election of a new government.
He alleged that the country's development was focused on one family during the Rajapaksa government. The Rajapaksa family developed during that period, he elaborated.