Freedom Alliance stands solid, assure leaders
 

BY SENARATH Bandara Kulasekera

THE Freedom Alliance would stand solid until the expectations of the people which elected it into office one year ago comes to fruition, UPFA leaders declared at Anuradhapura after participating in religious ceremonies to mark the first anniversary in office.

Religious ceremonies started at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi with the participation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, MEP Leader Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, Industries, Tourism and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranaike, NCP Chief Minister, Berty Premalal Dissanayake and other ministers and MPs.

After the religious ceremonies, the leaders participated in religious ceremonies at Anuradhapura Jumma Mosque and the Ganeshwara Kovil.

Industries, Tourism and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranaike said some sections said their would not be an Alliance of the SLFP and JVP but "we are able to form the Alliance and people voted us into power with a clear majority.

"They voted the Alliance into power in the Provincial Council elections too."

He said the Alliance Government rendered a better service to the country and the people. "We act with a special vigilance on the national security of the country. Those who said there won't be any Alliance between the SLFP and the JVP are now trying to mislead the masses that the Alliance would collapse. But this is only a day dream,' he said.

The UNP is trying to topple the UPFA Government. Some NGOs and the LTTE are helping the UNP to bring the UNP into power, the Minister said.

Bandaranaike affirmed that the Alliance would stand firm and the Government would rule the country in the next five years too.

UPFA Chairman, Nandana Gunathileka said the Alliance was formed when the UNP regime led by Ranil Wickremesinghe was ruling the country with subservience to multi national forces.

"By that time, the country was backward with a weakened democracy and culture. So we formed the Alliance to help the country and its people," he said. "We were able to compromise among contrasting views and to render a great service during the year in office with several victories," Gunathileka said.

JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa said it is of great importance that the Alliance was able to celebrate the first anniversary of the Government at Anuradhapura.

"In the past year, we were able to rectify the errors blindly carried out by the UNP regime and to direct the country in the correct way. We provided employment to all graduates and measures have been taken to strengthen the national economy," he said.

Instead of the UNP blunders, Weerawansa said the UPFA regime has tackled the national problem in a correct way protecting the national security.

"There is a visible forward march in the country in social and cultural fields. The agriculture sector is strengthened," he said.

As the trade and commerce sector is under the monopoly of the private sector, the Government is yet unable to take firm steps in that field. That has become a challenge to the UPFA Government, Weerawansa said.

He said the Government's efforts to bring in a lasting final solution to the national crisis would go ahead and the Government was committed for the national security and the masses' welfare.

MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said the UPFA government under the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's guidance has been able to place the country in a higher position nationally and internationally.

"We are taking all possible steps to secure the trust placed in us by the masses. All parties of the Alliance would unitedly do their best for their well being," he said. JVP General Secretary, Tilwin Silva and SLMP Secretary, Ranjith Senaratne also spoke.