With a pledge to start the process of national reconciliation and to restore democracy and win peace, the common opposition Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka released his much awaited election manifesto on Thursday in Colombo.<br/><br/>The ten point manifesto under the title ‘Vishvasaneeya Venasak’ (Believable Change) aims at removing fraud and corruption and to lay the foundation for a just and disciplined society. A confident Sarath Fonseka promised to bring about the ‘believable change’ and called on the people of Sri Lanka to exercise their choice on the day of polling. The retired General’s document spells out his vision for Sri Lanka in general terms and avoids any specific reference to the approach towards a political resolution of the ethnic conflict acceptable to all stake-holders. Observers are of the opinion that this is an attempt at ‘please all and antagonize none’ by the General in his new political avatar. The election manifesto was released today amidst a short religious ceremony in the presence of all the opposition political parties backing him.<br/><br/>Among those present at the release function included the Leader of the Opposition and head of the 17-party United National Front (UNF), Ranil Wickremesinghe, the ultra-nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna (JVP), Somawansa Amarasinghe, a former Foreign Minister and rebel Sri Lanka Freedom Party leader, Mangala Samaraweera and the Western People’s Front Parliamentarian Mano Ganesan. There was no representative of the TNA.<br/><br/>The incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is seeking a second term two years ahead of his term, is expected to release his manifesto next week.