Common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena said that he has to be out of his mind to close down airports.

He made this comment at the launch of Patali Champika Ranawaka’s booklet “aalapaalu aarthikaya” or “Doom-Boom Economy” at Solis Hotel, Pita Kotte.

Sirisena said that his speech had been interpreted out of context especially by state media and reported in a manner which altered the meaning.

He said that what he meant to say in the speech regarding closure of airports was that he would prevent those responsible for fraud and illegal activities from escaping so that they could be punished.

Meanwhile, speaking on the possibility of election fraud, Sirisena said that he had complete confidence in the Elections Commissioner and there is no way that computer ‘gilmarts’ and other frauds can take place. If they were possible, no government would ever fall, he added, saying that governments did fall through elections in this country in the past.