Sri Lanka's leftist party JVP or the People's Liberation Front (JVP) said on Sunday that it will hold its first rally targeting the forthcoming presidential election in the capital Colombo on Monday.
JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath told reporters that his party will rally support for Sarath Fonseka, former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and the opposition's common presidential candidate.
However, Herath said Fonseka will not come to Monday's rally which will be addressed by JVP leaders.
Meanwhile, the JVP said in a press release that two of its supporters were assaulted Sunday morning at Mahiyangana area in central Sri Lanka when they were pasting posters in support of Fonseka.
It said the assault was carried out by the chairman of a local government institute.
However, the police said the two JVP activists had been arrested on charges of instigating violence and they would be produced before court.
Fonseka, who is credited for winning a bloody civil war against Tamil Tiger rebels, confirmed on Sunday that he will contest as the common candidate of the opposition political parties in the forthcoming presidential election scheduled to be held on Jan. 26.
He promised to re-establish the democracy, media freedom and implementing the 17th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution paving the way for establishing independent Police and Election Commissions.
The general said his major objective is abolishing the executive presidency which was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1977. He promised to abolish it within six months after he assumes office as the president.
Fonseka was the island's Army Commander from December 2005 to July 2009 when he was appointed as the CDS regarded by many as a symbolic position.
Fonseka is the major competitor of incumbent President Mahinda Rajapakse seeking re-election on behalf of the ruling coalition United People Freedom Alliance.
Rajapakse said he was behind the successful war against the rebels as the Commander in Chief of Sri Lankan forces. |
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