Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, the former Sri Lankan Army Chief, has officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election. Fonseka, who led the military campaign against the LTTE, has vowed to tackle corruption and boost the economy.
In a statement on X, Fonseka declared, “I am announcing my candidacy for the presidency to the people of Sri Lanka. For 76 years, we have been led by an incompetent political group that has driven us to bankruptcy. To develop Sri Lanka, we must crush corruption and harness our natural resources to generate income.”
73 years aged Fonseka, who defeated the LTTE’s separatist campaign in 2009, is seeking the presidency for the second time. He was the opposition’s main challenger in the 2010 presidential election but suffered a defeat.
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa has also announced his candidacy for the election, which is scheduled to take place between September 17 and October 16. The exact date will be announced on Friday. Fonseka’s entry into the race is seen as a significant development in Sri Lankan politics, as he seeks to unite the nation and build a corruption-free country.