Aug 18, Anuradhapura: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Anuradhapura today commenced the election campaign of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance for the forthcoming provincial council polls in three provinces.

The President launched the campaign programme of the ruling alliance under the theme "Let's go forward in a united country" at the Walisinghe Harischandra grounds in Anuradhapura in support of the UPFA candidates contesting the polls for the North Central Provincial Council in Anuradhapura district.

Prior to the rally, the President attended religious ceremonies at the Jayanthi Viharaya and Kathiresan Kovil in Anuradhapura yesterday (17).

The ruling coalition has scheduled eight main rallies in support of the candidates for the elections of the three provincial councils and President Rajapaksa is scheduled to address the key meetings.

The grassroots level campaign of the UPFA has commenced earlier and the party has also scheduled pocket meetings and door to door campaigns.

The next rally is scheduled to be held on August 25 in Ratnapura in support of the candidates in Ratnapura district for Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council.

A rally in support of the candidates of the Ampara district of the Eastern Provincial Council will be held on August 26.

The President is scheduled to address main rallies held in each district of the Provinces and rallies are also to be held in Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.

The rest of the rallies held under the patronage of the President will be held from September 2-5.

The ruling party expects a landslide victory in the election for the three provincial councils that is scheduled to be held on September 08.

(Photos by Nalin Hewapathirana)