AKD kicks off campaign on August 17, manifesto launch on 26

The campaign will be mainly on an electorate basis, covering all areas, including the North and East, Dissanayake said at a press conference today.

“We will have the most powerful canvassing program for the election. We have covered around 50% of the households in the country, and we hope to cover the rest in the next few weeks,” he said.

The JVP/NPP leader said that they had entered the presidential race with a well-thought-out and detailed plan, which is unlike the campaigns of any of the other candidates.

“The other sides are focused on winning over support from people from other sides, but we will not take those who jump from one side to another. We need to change the political culture of this country, which is not based on principles or policies but on changing sides to stay in power,” he said.

Dissanayake said that the media has a responsible role to play in ensuring a free and fair election and noted that it is disheartening that some media organisations are engaged in promoting the candidates of their choice and slandering others.