Rousing welcome to Premier at Uyanwatte Stadium:

SLFP Presidential election campaign begins
 

BY Jayasiri Munasinghe and M.S. Fahim

THE SLFP campaign for the forthcoming Presidential Election commenced from Uyanwatte stadium of Matara yesterday.

The campaign started to coincide with the Matara SLFP convention attended by a multitude of SLFP jubilant supporters.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was received by SLFP Women's Front member Sominona Mathawa on his arrival.

The Premier was then received by Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera who is also the SLFP Matara District Leader and other party stalwarts of the district.

All access roads to Matara Uyanwatta were decorated with blue and red flags, banners and posters greeting the Premier.

The main participants represented the seven electoral Divisions of Matara, Akuressa, Hakmana, Devinuwara, Weligama, Deniyaya and Kamburupitiya, accompanied by the SLFP branch society members.

As the Premier ascended the stage, the supporters led by Party General Secretary, Irrigation, Mahaweli Development and Rajarata Development Minister Maitripala Sirisena, welcomed him.

The proceedings commenced with administering of Pansil by Ven. Galagama Chandananda Thera, Veluwanaramaya Viharadhipathi and the Siamese Sector Chief Sangha Nayaka of Southern Sri Lanka.

Students of St. Thomas' Girls, High School, Matara recited the "Jayamangala Gatha to greet the Premier. Thereafter a large crowd of supporters including the Maha Sangha took part in religious observances conducted at the historical Matara Bo-tree.