SLFP to present comprehensive manifesto

THE Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which is fielding Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse as its Presidential candidate, will offer a comprehensive manifesto to the masses, a Government spokesman said.

The manifesto is expected to cover the entire range of issues affecting the country including the peace process.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the proposed manifesto would be similar to the "Rata Perata" (Country Forward) manifesto, presented at the last General Election in April, with no major deviations.

"We are consulting our Presidential candidate and other advisers in this regard. A comprehensive, realistic and practicable manifesto and an action plan would be presented before the country," Minister de Silva said.

The manifesto is expected to be released after nominations are called in the middle of next month.

Both the SLFP and the main opposition UNP have already launched their election campaigns. Prime Minister Rajapakse addressed his first election rally on Friday in Matara.

Addressing another rally in Karandeniya yesterday, he extended an open invitation to the JVP and others to join him in his quest to bring peace and prosperity to the country.

UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe started his campaign several weeks back.

A total of 13,327,160 voters are eligible to cast their votes at the Presidential poll according to the 2004 electoral list.

The Commissioner of Elections is making arrangements to hold the poll, which should be held before November 22.

He will meet senior elections officials at his office tomorrow to discuss arrangements and procedures.