"President Mahinda in Our Hearts" – First Gathering, Kelaniya

Objective: To strengthen the Facebook campaign advocating for the return of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to national leadership through a united group effort.

Date: 31 March 2016

Venue: Royal Grand Hotel, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Chief Guests:

• Hon. Wimal Weerawansa, Member of Parliament
• Hon. Sisira Jayakody, Member of Parliament
• Hon. Sampath Athukorala, Deputy Chairman of the Southern Provincial Council
• Attorney-at-Law Premanath Dolawatta

This gathering marked the beginning of a collective journey. It brought together individuals who were committed to dedicating their time and effort, day and night, toward what they believed was the restoration of a free and prosperous future for their country.

The theme of the campaign, "President Mahinda in Our Hearts," reflected the participants' view that, regardless of who officially held the office of President, Mahinda Rajapaksa remained the president in their hearts. This became the unifying slogan of the movement.

Although many supporters were unable to attend the event in person, thousands of Sri Lankans living around the world who supported Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed their solidarity by changing their Facebook profile pictures to feature the "President Mahinda in Our Hearts" campaign theme, joining the movement online.