PM promises practical solutions to developing country - PM

BY ROHAN Mathes

PRIME MINISTER Mahinda Rajapakse claimed yesterday that he has practical solutions for developing the country in all spheres, instead of fantasies to deceive the masses.

Following the handing over of nominations last Friday as the UPFA Presidential hopeful for the coming Presidential election, and engaging in religious observances to invoke blessings of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhiya, the Mosque, Kovil and Church in Anuradhapura, the Premier in a symbolic inauguration of his election campaign there, urged all patriotic forces to converge in bringing a new, bright and prosperous era to the country.

Addressing the rally, Rajapakse further said that hailing from a remote village and a difficult area as Giruwapatthuwa, he felt the pulse of the common man and was cognisant of their burning issues for which he had pragmatic solutions.

The victory on November 17 is not solely mine but a victory and the dawn of a new era for the whole country, with its identity recognised and protected, he said. Sans confining development solely to the Western Province only, he said, the development will span the entire country.

He will pave the way for development by overcoming the challenges of the millennium with new technology, Rajapakse added.

Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, A.H.M. Fowzie, Mangala Samaraweera, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Susil Premajayantha, DEW Gunasekera and Parliamentarians Wimal Weerawansa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake also participated at the rally.