Strengthen President’s hands to stop terrorism - Transport Minister

Nimal WIJESINGHE , Anuradhapura Additional District group corr.

ANURADHAPURA: The hands of President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be strengthened to empower him to destroy LTTE terrorism and to continue with the massive development projects throughout the country,Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

“In this context you have got a golden opportunity in the form of a Provincial Council election to usher the UPFA into power in the North Central Province,” the Minister said addressing the last election propaganda rally in support of the Chief Ministerial candidature of Former North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake and the victory of his team of contestants at the forthcoming provincial council polls.

The meeting was held at Kadapanaha junction in Anuradhapura.

“The international community is extremely watchful of the forthcoming Provincial Council elections,” the Minister said. “I appeal to the people to not to take the elections very lightly because in my opinion, the forthcoming Provincial Council elections are a referendum

of highest national importance which decides the future direction of our country.

“We are at a crucial juncture in our quest to eradicate terrorism, which all of us irrespective of party differences should be striving to do,” he said.

He said that though the country is facing many problems like terrorism and the high cost of living the most challenging question of the nation had been the non-availability of a leader who wouldn’t bow down terrorism and one who is willing to take patriotic decisions to fight the terrorist and Col. battles.

Eastern Provincial Council Education Minister S. L. A. M. Hisbullah said that the Sinhala Tamil and Muslim communities in the East today are enjoying freedom and are experiencing the fruits of development.

Minister Navin Dissanayake said no sooner the Provincial Council elections are held, a group of UNP Parliamentarians would crossover to the Government following the footsteps of ‘Karu’ and the group in desperation of the hypocritical ways of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He said that he was so confident about this exodus from the UNP. A large number of UNP Parliamentarians and activists have boycotted the Provincial Council elections and are not engaged in the election campaigning, the Minister said.