SLFP caters to people's welfare - PM

The SLFP has always catered to the people's welfare without subscribing to any foreign dogmas. The Eastern Province's liberation from the LTTE's clutches and conducting of local elections there portrayed its true democratic nature, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka.

The Prime Minister made these observations addressing a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday to symbolise the handing over of membership cards to SLFP members in the Horana electorate who had renewed their membership in the party.

Wickramanayaka said the 59 per cent voter turnout in the East on Monday proved to the world that people in the East had participated in democratic elections enthusiastically the Government was now taking steps to conduct Provincial Council Elections as well in the North and East.

Wickramanayaka said the SLFP formed in 1952 had been able to contribute towards the improvement of the economy and the living standards of the people and bring about a complete change in people's hopes and aspirations. However, people's hopes and aspirations had undergone a transformation in recent times and the SLFP too should be reoriented to suit the present times.

Wickramanayaka said, "today patriotism had been rekindled in the minds of the people as never before. That was why people were thinking of the country first despite grave economic problems.

This is the greatest victory we have achieved in 2008." He said the Government led by the SLFP would be able to solve the LTTE terrorist problem and ensure a better future for the people before the end of this year.

Horana SLFP Chief Organiser Vidura Wickramanayaka also spoke. Horana PS Vice- Chairman Yamin Chandana Hathurusinghe UC Member Granville Rajapaksa, Horana SLFP Central Organisation Secretary Asoka Ranatunga and several other Local Councillors were present.