In a relatively long speech lasting a half an hour, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially announced that he will contest the upcoming general election.

 

Howeve, Rajapaksa did not state the party from which he plans to contest and also failed to say if he will be the Prime Ministerial candidate. He repeatedly used the term "we will" refering to contesting the election and apparently kept room for either contesting from the SLFP or going separately.

 

Speaking at his home in Medamulana, Rajapaksa pointed out that the six months under the UNP government has been disastrous for the country. He invited all patriotic people from the SLFP, UNP and even the JVP to join him in this new campaign.