Govt. will fulfil all election pledges: PM

BY L. B. Wijayasiri and Sanjaya Mathurata in Kandy

The Alliance Government which completed one year on April 2 will not only fulfil election pledges but also continue the full term in power.

Those who expect the Government to fall will be sadly disappointed, said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse addressing a meeting in Hewaheta after opening several development works in the electorate under the organisation of Chief SLFP Organiser for Hewaheta, Provincial Councillor, Mahinda Abeykoon.

The Prime Minister said the Alliance Government was formed by joining together a number of progressive political parties like the SLFP, JVP, MEP etc.

"The Alliance is committed to fulfil promises given to the masses at previous elections. Some people are dreaming that the Government will fall today or tomorrow. This is only a day dream which would never become a reality," he said.

Prime Minister Rajapakse said the Government's main objectives were to usher lasting peace by bringing all racial and religious groups together to develop the country and solve unemployment problem.

"The Government is committed to fulfil those expectations. For the first time in the country's history employment was given to 47,000 graduates at the same time. Steps are now being taken to provide employment to other youths too.

The Government is working on a planned program of work to fulfil aims and aspirations of the people, the Prime Minister said.

The Freedom Alliance Government will never keep room to divide the country or to break it into pieces. The Government has launched a program to unite all the racial, religious and other groups, he said.

Posts and Telecommunications Minister D. M. Jayaratne said the expectation of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the Prime Minister and Ministers is to bring all racial, religious and other groups together and create a better country for the younger generation.

"The Government is committed to fulfil this task and we have already laid the foundation for this," he said.