UNP has always cared for minorities - MNA

The UNP has always been stood by the minority communities. They have also benefitted by the UNP policies and the country at large has been much better position under UNP leadership, said National Muslim Alliance (mna) Leader Hafez Nazeer Ahmed in Kalutara. He was addressing a rally at the Pakistan sports complex in Kalutara. "Hence it is the Muslim community's duty to vote for UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The (MNA) leader said that as the UNP has developed the country, business thrives in the country. Outlining the role Muslims have played in the formation of the UNP, he pointed out that great Muslim leaders joined the grand old party as its founder members and their dynamism has contributed in no small measure to the vitality of the party.

"Ever since its inception, Muslims have identified themselves with the UNP because of its development oriented and pro-people policies that treat all races equally. 'UNP is for development while UPFA is for derailment', he said.

Referring to the premier's election manifesto, "Mahinda Chinthana" he said there was not a word about resuming peace talks "If UPFA candidate Mahinda Rajapakse wins, there would be war, he said. He said he is from the East of Sri Lanka and has first hand experience of the ravages of war.

'I have seen the war myself and the Muslims of the North and East have been innocent victims of the havoc that war brings in its wake'. ' I just can't understand why Prime Minister and UPFA Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse did not recognise this fact. It makes me very sad' he said.

He went on to say that the UNP would never divide the country and such claims by the UPFA frontliners are not only futile but, worse still, they were racist in nature. 'They are trying to whip up racial tendencies in the South.

Nazeer Ahmed said that Mahinda Rajapakse and his UPFA could never face realities or solve the nations burning issues only the UNP can do that as has been proven by history.

Ranil Wickremesinghe would quickly put an end to the misery of the tsunami victims as soon as he becomes the President, Ahmed assured.