"If you take me as an example, my recently deceased brother was a catholic. My elder sister is married to a catholic. My father’s sister was married to a Tamil from Velvettithurai, a very close relative of Prabhakaran." Said Mangala Samaraweera.

The aim of Prime Minister Rajapakse is to create a land with equal opportunity for all races and religions said the Minister. He said the opposition has attracted the racist groups, at a media gathering in Colombo.

"On Ranil Wickramasinghe’s stage, there is Thondaman asking for a "Malayanadu" in the Central province. There is Prabhakaran who wants a separate Tamil land in the Northeast, Hakim is pressing for a separate administration for the East. Under the circumstances, people have to decide who is really representing a country where everyone can live together in one state".

In a statement on the recent budget proposals, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandupulle said even if Ranil Wickremesinghe wins, he would not be able to change anything as the majority of the parliament is not with the UNP.