Opposition unity candidate kicks-off presidential campaign

In his bid to dislodge Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the joint opposition unity candidate Maithripala Sirisena launched his election campaign today from the island's old capital of Polonnaruwa, on a day when another senior cabinet minister defected.
63-year-old Srisena's rally was well-attended at his in the north-central province and was addressed among others by fellow defectors and other opposition leaders.
The United National Party (UNP) candidate's campaign received a further boost today as another cabinet Minister quit the Rajapaka-led Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) government.
Navin Dissanayake, the Minister of Public Management Reforms, left the coalition accusing it of corruption.

"I have not betrayed President Rajapaksa, I have only betrayed the system of executive president", Sirisena, the former health minister, said.
"I have come out against corruption, mismanagement, extravagance and waste", he said echoing the opposition's campaign theme of greater democracy and government and electoral reforms.

So far, four members of the Rajapaksa cabinet have now defected to the opposition led by the UNP.
The opposition parties are to sign a pact tomorrow to commit themselves to a reform package, main among which is to abolish the system of executive president within the first 100 days in office.
Seeking a record third term after he pushed through changes to the constitution, Rajapaksa has ordered snap polls on January 8.