PM says grateful to President for placing trust in him

by Rohan Mathes

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse reiterates he will always cherish and protect the trust and responsibility placed upon him by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in nominating him as the party's Presidential candidate. He will always be grateful to her for engaging him in this great task which is linked with the 'Siyane Korale'.

Addressing more than 7000 Ministers, Organisers, party members and other representatives of the Gampaha District, who gathered at Temple Trees last Sunday (25) to wish good luck for his victory at the coming Presidential election, Mahinda Rajapakse said that the 'Pancha Maha Balavegaya' was established by the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1956, and after his death, Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike carried forward the SLFP amidst opposition from the reactionary forces.

Thereafter, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga with the assistance of all progressive forces, steered the party from strength to strength. Now they have 23 progressive parties within their camp. This itself is a great victory for the people.

The links between the Bandaranaikes of the 'Siyane Korale' and the Rajapakses of Ruhuna was not new. Eight Rajapakses from Hambantota have worked within the SLFP. Peace and prosperity in the country will be achieved by walking in the footsteps of the Bandaranaikes and the Rajapakses. His goal when elected President, Rajapakse added, was to defeat all reactionary forces for the emergence of a bright and prosperous Sri Lanka for our children.

JVP Propaganda Secretary Vimal Weerawansa, Power and Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha, Trade and Commerce Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Western Provincial Councilor Renuka Perera and former JVP Minister Vijitha Herath also spoke at the meeting.

Railways Minister Felix Perera, Deputy Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Governor Reggie Ranatunga, Deputy Ministers Sripathi Suriyaarachchi, Pandu Bandaranayake and other Gampaha District representatives participated at the meeting.