President gets rousing reception
Chaminda PERERA
Supporters and well-wishers of the UPFA and its coalition parties
yesterday thronged the area adjacent to the Elections Secretariat where
nominations from 18 recognized political parties and five independent
groups were accepted by the Elections Commissioner for Presidential
Election 2010.
|
President Mahinda Rajapaksa handing over his nomination
papers to Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake.
Pictures by President’s Media Division |
They voiced their support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by shouting
slogans. Stringent security measures were in place in and around the
Elections Secretariat and the road leading to the Elections Secretariat
was also cordoned off for vehicular traffic due to security concerns.
Ministers and Parliamentarians representing the Government and the
Opposition participated in the ceremony and only the Presidential
candidates and selected invitees were given entry to the main hall where
the nominations were accepted.
When the President alighted from his vehicle in the motorcade there
was rousing cheers of party members and parliamentarians. He handed over
the nominations to Elections Commissioner at an auspicious time.
Chief Minister of North Central Province Berty Premalal Dissanayake,
Eastern Province Chief Minister Sinvanesathurai Chandrakanthan,
Sabaragamuwa Province Chief Minister Maheepala Herath, were among the
host of Ministers and parliamentarians. Presidential candidate and
Former Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka also arrived at the
Elections Secretariat to hand over nominations papers with UNP
parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake. |
