Minister Sajith Premadasa said today in Thirappane, Anuradhapura that he would contest the forthcoming presidential election without fail and that he expects the support of people in the country.

After opening the ‘Se-Dasungama’ - 246th model village in Demategama in Thirappane in Anuradhapura District under the Gam Udawa programme, the Minister was responding to a query directed at him by someone in the audience.

He said, “I am ready to contest the forthcoming presidential election. I need the support of the Rajarata people. I am ready to dawn a new era for the country after winning the election if the support of all the people in the country is ensured for me”.

Then the participants said that they would be ready for it. After expressing his gratitude to the people, he awarded the recipients the entitlement certificates for the houses in the model village.

Minister Chandrani Bandara, UNP MP Chandima Gamage and UNP organiser for Mihintale, Sanjeewa Seneviratne, also participated in the event.

In the meantime, about 70 Buddhist monks who arrived from temples in Mihintale chanted 'Jaya Pirith' for him. (Athula Bandara)