General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Minister Maithripala Sirisena announced that he is the common opposition candidate at the press conference held today. The Minister said, “I thank all political parties and political groups for selecting me to be the common candidate.” He added that he will abolish the executive presidency once appointed President within 100 days. He also said: “I will reinstate the 17th Amendment and abolish the 18th Amendment to the constitution.” Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Arjuna Ranatunge, Wasantha Senanayake, and Prof. Rajiv Wijesinghe were also in attendance at the press conference. Celebrations broke out in many areas of the country after the announcement.