Former President and SLPP District candidate Maithripala Sirisena said he would top the preferential votes list in the Polonnaruwa district.

Addressing an election meeting in the area, Sirisena said he would secure more than 150,000 votes and top the district list with a comprehensive margin.

"You will get to know the results on August 07. But, mark my words! I will be at the top of the Polonnaruwa district with a clear margin," he added.

Sirisena said the candidates who criticize him today were brought into politics by him.

"When I dedicated my life to develop Polonnaruwa these candidates were children. Polonnaruwa was no different to a graveyard when I first entered Parliament. I was instrumental in the development of the town and it was under my guidance that Polonnaruwa became a municipal area," Sirisena added.

However, the former President has come under severe criticism from other SLPP candidates in the area including Roshan Ranasinghe.