Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa has launched his election campaign for a third term in office through a public rally in Anuradhapura.
A huge crowd attended the maiden campaign rally at the Salgado Stadium in Anuradhapura on Thursday, reports the Colombo Page web site.
The strength and the unity of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) was on full display.
President Rajapaksa said the presidential polls would decide the country's future, its sovereignty and territorial integrity.