Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has condemned opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa for the latter’s attempt to create ethnic divisions terming them a cabal of extremists trying to terrify and divide people just to consolidate their own power.
In a letter, Premadasa said it is his duty to unite all Sri Lankans and move forward together, not to seduce the citizenry into turning on each other for petty political gain. He also challenged the former President to come clean on his alliance with former Tamil leaders like Pillayan, Karuna and Vadarajan Perumal.
His statement came as his main rival and former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has chosen the party that can fulfil their separatist demands.
TNA has announced to back Sajith Premadasa at the polls, where 35 candidates are in fray.
The minority votes play a crucial role in the results and Rajapaksas are trying hard to galvanise Buddhist majority to come back to power.