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| Friday, 12 March 2004 |
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| President launches Freedom Alliance Manifesto : Towards a new era of peace and economic development by Uditha Kumarasinghe President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at the official launch of the Freedom Alliance Manifesto yesterday, declared the Alliance's commitment for a Government that is rooted in the teachings of the Buddha so that Sri Lanka could move forward as one country. In a special address televised on a giant screen at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, the President said: "We finalised our manifesto on Medin Poya Day as a road map to embark upon the Freedom Alliance program for the next five years." The vision of the manifesto is to serve the motherland and it's sons and daughters through the forming of a peaceful and prosperous society, the President stated. The manifesto contains five key areas. The foremost and key objective is to achieve a durable peace through a sustainable dialogue in a honest and transparent manner, she said. The unity and integrity of Sri Lanka is not negotiable, the President proclaimed. The second objective is to eliminate bribery and corruption through strong governance. The President said the third is to provide the skills and knowledge to children to adapt themselves to the increasingly competitive and globalised world. She said:" We are moving towards a knowledge driven world. Therefore it will be unforgivable if the Government cannot offer education and training to youth." She said the fourth objective of the Alliance was to create an economic system which will offer justice to all and instill confidence in the public. "It will also encourage foreign investment and technology infusion. This economic system will create new employment opportunities and provide benefits to the small scale industrialists, farmers and fishermen." Finally, as the fifth objective the country's law and order will be guaranteed, ensuring and safeguarding the security of the people. Special attention will be focused to form an independent Police force and fair judicial system which will not surrendered to undue pressure. The manifesto was ceremonially launched amidst the beating of drums and the blowing of conch shells before a gathering of politicians, members of the business community, academics, artistes and professionals. The manifesto introduced "a five fold vision for the future of our motherland: towards a new economic order, ensuring law and order, durable peace with dignity, clean governance and investing in the people." Lighting the traditional oil lamp were several key political figures of the Alliance including Mahinda Rajapakse, Maithripala Sirisena, Dinesh Gunawardene, Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, A.L.M.Athaulla, Wimal Weerawansa, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Anura Bandaranaike, Mangala Samaraweera, Ferial Ashraff, D.E.W. Gunasekera and Prof Tissa Vitarana. Addressing the gathering, Information and Telecommunication Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar said the UNF Government came to office in 2001 with the pledge of regaining Sri Lanka but it was not clear for whose benefit. "Over the past two years, Sri Lanka has been certainly regained by a selected few. Their personal wealth has grown inevitably." He said bribery and corruption has been rapidly on the rise, while valuable national assets have been sold off. Power has been systematically abused by the holders of public office and the normal legal procedure has been misused. Law and order was confined to mere words. The Minister said: "The Freedom Alliance manifesto introduced to the people today is the most comprehensive manifesto ever placed before the people of Sri Lanka by any political party." The manifesto covers every section of the national economy and makes proposals to build a strong economy. It also deals with industrial reforms and recommends measures to uplift local industries. In relation to the ethnic problem, the manifesto clearly states that the ceasefire will continue and the negotiations will be in place. It states that the intention of the Freedom Alliance is to achieve a durable solution which can be accepted by all the people of the country. "We ask all communities to participate in implementing this vision. The Alliance has been formed for the wellbeing of the people," he said. JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa said the launching of the Freedom Alliance manifesto was a historic day for the motherland. "Since the formation of the Alliance, it has able to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people," he said. He said the Alliance has turned into a strength for all who love the motherland while it has become a great threat to certain elements who attempt to destroy the country. The Alliance manifesto is a guideline for a number of socio-economic changes which are accepted by the people. "Today we present this manifesto to the people not as a traditional duty. The significance, is the Alliance seeks a mandate from the people to implement this program for the next five years. This is a vision to turn Sri Lanka into a proud nation in Asia within the next decade," he said. SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena and Freedom Alliance General Secretary Susil Premajayanth also spoke. |
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