Endorse anti-terror drive through UPFA victory - President
Rohan MATHES reporting from Embilipitiya
Embilipitiya: President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted that despite
fighting a bloody war with the terrorists, the country’s economy was
strong, vibrant and moving in the right direction to prosperity.
President Rajapaksa pointed out that the vote cast had to define
whether liberating Kilinochchi was the right decision.
“Have absolute faith in us and cast your vote prudently for the
country’s sake. Take steps to evict those who have parachuted here,”
President Rajapaksa added.
The President made this assertion when he presided and addressed a
massive rally at the Embilipitiya esplanade yesterday in a series of
rallies organised by the Government in support of the UPFA candidates
contesting the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council
election due to be held on Saturday.
“Our economy is going from strength to strength and not failing, as
some parties with vested interests, wish to make up and like it to be.
We are in receipt of aid from the international community such as
China, Iran, EU, US and others as envisaged. All of them are
contributing towards our development and prosperity,” the President
said.
He pointed out that despite the bloody war with the LTTE and the
series of victories achieved, his Government had never ever abandoned or
sacrificed the country’s development.
“We have not sold any State enterprise or institution in the
process,” he added.
Refuting all baseless allegations, President Rajapaksa assured that
the fertiliser subsidy will never be lifted. He will not leave room for
the paddy prices to drop and jeopardise the livelihood and profits of
the farmer.
His Government has already taken steps to confront the fuel and food
crisis successfully. Mega development projects in the spheres of power
and energy, roads, irrigation schemes among others, have been launched
successfully and more are in the pipeline.
An industrial park will be established shortly in Embilipitiya. “All
this has been achieved within a short period of 31 months,” he noted.
The President was of the view that the country was now free and safe
sans any form of fear psychosis as in the ‘89 era. Most of the so-called
abductions were baseless and originated with ulterior motives to tarnish
the good image of the Government, as clearly shown by further
investigations.
President Rajapaksa said the media was not expected always to be the
trumpet of the State. They were free to criticise the Government when
and where necessary.
However, he urged the media to refrain from making unfounded and
baseless allegations which may directly or indirectly influence and
impact on the deliberations made by the Government in its effort to
eradicate terrorism from our Motherland.
“The media too has a paramount role to play in the dissemination of
news. They should act with extreme caution, as not to discourage or
dissuade our gallant soldiers in their fight against terrorism. They
should inspire them instead,” he said.
President Rajapaksa urged the Sabaragamuwa polity to refrain form
casting all three preferential votes to one candidate. “Cast your
preferential vote to three persons,” he said. Ministers Chamal Rajapaksa,
Mahinda Ratnatilleke, Champika Ranawaka, Susil Premajayantha, DEW
Gunasekera, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Jayatissa Ranaweera and former
Chief Minister of Sabaragamuwa Mahipala Herath PC, Minister Mohan
Ellawala and Sanath Gunatilleke also addressed the victorious rally. |