Curtain on campaigning, real battle ahead

• Mahinda, Maithri promise peaceful polls
• Urge supporters not to engage in violence
• Despite speculation no major crossovers at final rallies
• Maithripala afforded heavy security, bulletproof glass enclosure at final rally

By Dharisha Bastians Campaigning for Sri Lanka's do-or-die presidential election closed yesterday without dramatic crossover scenes and both candidates fiercely confident of victory and pledging to ensure a peaceful poll on Thursday. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his main Opposition challenger Maithripala Sirisena ended their election campaigns on a high note last night, urging their supporters to remain peaceful and desist from violence against political opponents. "With 45 years of political appearance, I can look at the crowds and tell you who will win and who will lose," said an emphatic President Rajapaksa in Kesbewa last night. "We will obtain a spectacular victory on 9 January," he asserted.                               "No harm will come to anyone in the Opposition after our victory," President Rajapaksa said, urging his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully since he was certain of victory. Striking a chord for religious reconciliation, President Rajapaksa assured minority communities that no harm would come to them after the election. "As President I will ensure the security of Tamils and Muslims even after 9 January," he said. He accused the Opposition of attempting to scrap the Colombo Port City project. "This project is not costing the Government a cent and it will create tens of thousands of jobs," President Rajapaksa affirmed. The President insisted he would not reduce the strength of the military as he ended his campaign on a strong national security platform. "Put your future and your children's future in my hands," the President said in closing. Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena arrived at his final campaign meeting in Maradana just 30 minutes before campaigning ended.                                 Addressing large crowds in the UNP's biggest base, Central Colombo, Sirisena pledged to foster religious harmony and end corruption and family rule after 9 January. Special bulletproof screens were erected for the candidate's arrival and a tight human security chain surrounded Sirisena and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as they addressed the crowds. In Katubedda at his penultimate rally, Sirisena issued a strong message to young voters who analysts say will be a big demographic in Thursday's poll. "My administration will take Sri Lanka towards an economy that is well-suited to the modern world," Sirisena told crowds in Moratuwa. Large crowds attended both rallies. The UPFA rally concluded just before 10 p.m., but the Opposition rally ended close upon midnight. Crossover speculation had reached fever pitch while final rallies of the two main candidates took place in Kesbewa and Maradana yesterday, but neither side managed to make an impact in the final analysis. Announcers at the presidential rally in Kesbewa repeatedly hinted at the prospect of 'special' guests while political speakers at the rally made constant references to UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa. Presidential aides also invited journalists to attend the Kesbewa rally, promising “important crossovers”. Premadasa repeatedly denied crossover rumours during the day from meetings in the Southern Province. However the UNP Deputy Leader was a notable absentee at the opposition final rally in Maradana last night. Speculation was also rife that SLFP heavyweight Nimal Siripala De Silva was in play for the Opposition before the end of campaigning last night. However, the UPFA Leader of the House also denied the claims, saying he was returning from his home district of Badulla last evening.