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| Tuesday, 2 March 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| UPFA Govt. will protect country's cultural and social values - Mahinda by Asela Kuruluwansa and Sanjaya Asela Maturata "Foreign powers which received immense benefits and concessions under the UNP regime during the last two years after colonising our country in the past are again trying to buy our country for dollars" said United People's Freedom Alliance Co-national Organiser and former Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse at several UPFA election rallies held in the Yatinuwara electorate in the Kandy District recently. Mr. Rajapakse said the UNF Government had already formulated plans to sell the Sinharaja forest reserve and cultural sites such as Sigiriya and the Galle Dutch Fort which are well-known heritage sites to foreigners. If these plans were implemented people in this country would be reduced to slavery. The UPFA government set up on April 2 with people's blessings will reverse these trends and take all measures necessary to protect the country's cultural and social values and the national heritage". Mr. Rajapakse said "As people of this country we may have our own personal ideas, views and differences. But the time has come for us to eschew all such differences and think of the country first and ensure the victory of the UPFA at the coming elections to safeguard its future well-being". Mr. Rajapakse said the UNP today was much different to the UNP which existed during the times of D. S. and Dudley Senanayake. The UNP today was dancing to the tune of allies forces. The Opposition Leader said during the last two years problems in the South aggravated with the people entertained fears that the country would be divided with the LTTE declaring a state of Eelam. It is in this situation that people declaring a dissolution of Parliament and the holding of a fresh general election. Referring to the Prime Minister's claim that he would not give promises which he could not fulfil, Mr. Rajapakse said the Prime Minister could not offer any more promises because he had failed to fulfil those made during the last election. Mr. Rajapakse said the President had promised to provide jobs to 30,000 graduates soon after a UNFA government is elected to power on April 2. This was not an election gimmick but a genuine promise based on a well laid out plan. Kandy district UPFA candidate and Yatinuwara SLFP organiser Tikiri Kobbekaduwa said the people had two options at the forthcoming elections. They had to decide as to whether they should allow a division of the country under a UNP regime or ensure peace, unity and development of the country by electing a UPFA government. He said UNP supporters who are tired of the government were now flocking behind the UPFA enmasse to ensure its victory at the forthcoming election. Provincial Council member A. G. Sirisena, member Yatinuwata predeshiya Sabha H. M. Jayaweera and several others also spoke. |
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