Govt. will build new Sri Lanka where all can live in dignity - Minister Yapa

Jayasinghe Pemaratne and Giriulla Group Mahindasiri Liyanaarachchi reporting from Giriulla

Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa emphasised the need of initiating a new media culture in the context of the Government's concept of building a new Sri Lanka where the interests of the whole country are ensured in a just and equitable manner.

Addressing a vast gathering at the Giriulla bus stand held to welcome him on being appointed the new Media and Information Minister, Yapa said the aim of the new Government was ushering in a new Sri Lanka regardless of race, creed or political divisions. To achieve the above targets the responsibility of building the social background and milieu looms large on the political and cultural agenda of the country today.

We totally reject the UNP culture of harassing the defeated after victory. We never allowed our supporters to victimise the losers a fact that speaks volumes for the new just and equitable culture we intend to build, said Yapa.

But one should not think it as an act of cowardliness on their part when they had extended the hand of friendliness to the losers. He only mentioned the fact to remind people of the violent behaviour of some UNP supporters in the Katugampola electorate.

The Minister reminisced how some officers of the Giriulla Police Station took into custody some of his vehicles and supporters for no reason when he was engaged in legitimate political propaganda work during the UNP regime. He emphasised that he would not allow such things to happen in the future. We won the Presidential Election for the third time as the masses endorsed our policies. We invite our rivals too to join us to build a new Sri Lanka. We don't intend to victimise our opponents in any way, he added.

Ex-Chairman and present Leader of Opposition of the Pannala Pradesheeya Sabha Ranjith Lansakara, President of the Giriulla SLFP Youth Organisation, Susil Wickramasinghe, President Katugampola MPCS S.A. Kulasinghe and member Pannala Pradesheeya Sabha Piyal Devapriya also spoke.

Ven. Mirihane Dhammapala Thera officiated at the brief religious ceremony held at the beginning of the reception.