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| Tuesday, 16 March 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| Rally round Freedom Alliance - Minister D.M. Jayaratne by Vimal Weeraratne During the UNP regime of two years, the valuable resources of the country including thousands of acres of land were alienated permitting foreigners to become its virtual owners. Its impact to the country is worse than that of the LTTE. Therefore, for the sake of the security and integrity of the country, we appeal to all patriots to rally round the Freedom Alliance, said Minister D.M. Jayaratne addressing the district seminar of Kandy Samurdhi Development Officers held at Avanhala recently. A large number of Samurdhi Development Officers were present at the occasion. The Minister said, 'although seventeen lakhs of the masses were benefited by the Samurdhi programme, a unique concept evolved by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the UNF during its tenure of government cut down the strength of Samurdhi beneficiaries by 70%. If the UNF government is allowed to remain in power any lager, the balance 30% would also be brought down to zero. Even in countries like America, England and Germany some sort of government assistance is provided to selected low income groups. The P.A. government provided employment to about 34,000 youth as Samurdhi animaters and it is no secret that they were sons and daughters of SLFP supporters. Therefore, we appeal to the youth of this country, to vote for the Freedom Alliance. Former Kandy District MP, Mahindananda Alutgamage said the April general election is a decisive one and we are grateful to the Samurdhi Development Officers who have taken the vanguard in the struggle to defeet the UNF government. Former Kandy District MP, Mahinda Abeykoon pledged to take the lead to get rid of the UNP which caters to the capitalist classes. Freedom Alliance candidate Vijaya Wickremaratne said, the Freedom Alliance government could ensure the job security of Samurdhi officers. Freedom Alliance candidate, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa said, he values the cooperation of Samurdhi Development Officers who move closely with the peasants & workers alike. Former Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Former MP Wilson Kuruppuartchchi, Freedom Alliance candidates, Sunil K. Ameratunga and Navaratne Bandara also spoke. |
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