Mahinda, a peoples' candidate - Moulana

by Sarath Malalasekera

Mahinda Rajapakse had been in politics for the last 38 years. He has had a clean and impeccable record in assisting the poor masses of the country as a lawyer, member of Parliament and a Minister of successive governments, said veteran trade union leader and Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana commenting on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse the SLFP nominee for the forthcoming Presidential election.

He said Mahinda is a people's candidate and a down to earth man hailing from a renowned family in Southern Sri Lanka.

Mahinda is well-known the world over for his involvement in human rights activities in the country. His untiring efforts to serve the country and its people has propelled him to the zenith in the field of politics in this country.

As a Labour Minister in 1994 Mahinda brought several new laws to protect rights and welfare of the Sri Lankan women employed abroad.

Governor Moulana said Mahinda had rendered a yeoman service as a parliamentarian. During the short period, he was the Minister incharge of Ports Authority, he brought new ideas to increase the efficiency of Port operations.

"I had the opportunity to associate with Mahinda in his 'Padayatra' and 'Janagosa' campaigns. "We all must pay our highest tribute to our President for nominating Prime Minister Rajapakse as the next SLFP Presential Candidate,"the Governor said.