ALLIANCE MANIFESTO HANDED OVER TO PRESIDENT BY APPROACHING HIM EARLY MORNING!

The manifesto was launched for the General Election today by the United People's Freedom Alliance.

A group of seniors of the Alliance approached the President this morning and initially handed over this manifesto to the Chairman the President Maithripala Sirisena. Though seniors such as Susil, Anura, Dallas, Dinesh and Dilan were present on that occasion, attention was focused on the absence of Wimal Weeravansha, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Nimal Siripala. Later, this manifesto was launched at 9.30 at Henry Pedris Playground at the ceremony held under the patronage of Mahinda Rajapaksa who directs the election. Leaders of 28 political parties belonging to the United People's Freedom Alliance and about 100 representatives of civil organisations including trade unions attended this function. Neither President Maithripala nor former Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala did attended the function. Among those present were former Supreme Court Judge Sarath N. Silva, Dayan Jayatilleka, Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, A.H.M. Fowzie and Wimal Weeravansha. Chief Incumbent of Pepiliyane Sunethra Devi, Medagoda Abhayatissa Thero made a speech on this occasion. The Alliance theme song for the general election too was launched on this occasion.

Though Nelum Pokuna and Bandaranaika Memorial Hall were requested to launch this manifesto, General Secretary of the Alliance Susil Premajayantha said the government refused permission for it. In the process efforts taken to broadcast this function on payment was rejected also by the Independent Networks, Susil Premajayantha added.

Independent Networks has mentioned that it was a difficult task to broadcast it by shifting its commercial advertisements which were already on the cards. What ITN's Chairman, Dhammika Ganganath said in this connection was that since there was a large number of election contestants who had handed over commercial advertisements before the Alliance arrived to make bookings for that day for the function by making a payment, according to the agreement signed with them it was not possible to allocate another Live programme during that period.