Former Sri Lankan president calls for respecting people's mandate

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse on Friday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to respect the mandate of the people in the upcoming parliamentary election slated for Monday.

In a letter to Sirisena, Rajapakse said he had re-entered politics based on a request made by the public and several senior opposition United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) members, and the choice of the people should be respected.

Rajapakse was in response to a letter sent by Sirisena to him on Thursday, in which the president stated that he will not make Rajapakse prime minister if the UPFA wins the elections.

Sirisena was appointed UPFA leader and the country's president after he defeated Rajapakse in a presidential election in January.

In his letter, Sirisena said there were many other senior party members deserving the post if the UPFA forms a government in the future.

Rajapakse in his letter urged Sirisena to respect the wishes of the people in the same way he did after the January election.

He also expressed contentment that the president had acknowledged the opposition would obtain a majority in the parliament.