PM vows to achieve honourable peace

UPFA Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday vouched to eradicate poverty and bring about a lasting solution, a 'honourable peace' where all ethnic communities can live without fear.

Arriving at the Elections Secretariat yesterday to hand over his nomination papers the Premier told reporters he would ensure peace, prosperity and a disciplined society.

"We are clear of our victory with a large majority," the Premier said. Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the Premier's campaign coordinator, said most of the studies conducted so far, not only by them but by the UNP itself have confirmed the victory of their candidate and in fact he is very comfortably ahead.

"From now on we will be making efforts to consolidate our majority and get that historical mandate for President Rajapakse."

The UPFA has planned 10,000 'Dinawamu Sri Lanka' offices in all electorates to educate people on the development programme our candidate will embark upon after the victory, he said.

The Prime Minister will be attending 150 election rallies islandwide starting from today. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is expected to grace at least one rally in each province.

"We will be releasing our election manifesto within seven to ten days," the Minister said adding that theirs not a 'document' that changes from one election to another or every now and then.

Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana commenting on the CWC and the SLMC support to their rivals said it did not come as a surprise to them.

He said the divided SLMC was a less threat to them now than the last election where the UNP lost even with both these minority parties' support.

Meanwhile, there was much celebration and shouts of joy in the Hambantota District yesterday after Rajapakse was shown on television handing over his nomination papers.

His supporters in Tangalle, Beliatta, Walasmulla, Weeraketiya, Middeniya, Ambalantota, Hambantota, Tissamaharama and Lunugamvehera toured the district in a motorcade to mark the event.

In the Galle and Matara Districts people lit firecrackers and decorated the streets with blue and red flags and streamers.