Breaking his silence over the issue surrounding Mahinda Rajapaksa's nominations, President Maithripala Sirisena today pledged that he will not let the return of family rule, adding that the silent revolution of January 8 will not be turned back.

 

He made this comment at the ceremony to mark the beginning of the Matara-Hambantota stretch of the Southern Expressway. The event was held at Godagama in Matara. UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim, several other politicians and senior state officials were also present at the event. 

 

Speaking further, Sirisena said that he and the Prime Minister understood the need for development in the country.

 

This was Sirisena's first public speech following yesterday's announcement that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be given nomination to contest the forthcoming general election under the UPFA ticket. In his speech, the President did not make any reference to the statement issued by the UPFA General Secretary yesterday, stating the former President would be granted nominations from the UPFA. 

 

However, Sirisena did not refer to the dispute on granting nomination to Rajapaksa.