'BBC Sandeshaya' says former president Mahinda Rajapaksa will not find it easy at the upcoming general election to make the war victory and national security an issue.

 

He said yesterday (13) that he would give a pledge to the people to prioritize national security.

 

The ex-president was speaking after a Pirith Chanting at Bauddhaloka Pirivena in Kurunegala following the handover of nominations at the district secretariat.

 

However, BBC Sandeshaya says the traditional claim by the SLFP-led alliance during elections that a UNP regime will endanger national security is likely to be a misconception this time.

 

That is because the executive powers and the defence ministry come under the SLFP chairman, president Maithripala Sirisena.

 

State minister of defence Ruwan Wijewardena has stressed on several occasions that his government had not closed any military camp in the north east.

 

He has been responding to remarks about national security by Rajapaksa during Bodhi Pooja events.

 

The state minister has pointed out that from 2009 to 2014, the Rajapaksa regime had closed 59 camps.

 

Therefore, Rajapaksa will find it difficult to claims dangers to national security this time.