Lion Flag majesty in all homes

Sandasen Marasinghe

SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithreepala Sirisena said the Government has almost totally defeated the LTTE and the country is celebrating its 61st Independence Day today across the country for the first time in history with the Lion Flag fluttering in every house with a dignity in the face of the victory against terrorism.

He made this observation at a press conference held by the United People’s Freedom Alliance Polls Campaign Centre to brief the press on the up and coming Provincial Council Election in the North-Western and Central Provinces.

The Minister said the Government could not direct the public towards a single opinion for 60 years after independence was achieved but this Government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa could unite almost all the patriotic people against LTTE terrorism.

In this context, the 61st Independence Day celebration would be the most historical celebration after independence was achieved for the country, he added.

The Minister said since the UPFA handed over the nominations for the election, it has launched a successful election campaign so far but it was pathetic that the Opposition did not engage in any election campaign.

The UNP that was successful under leaders like D.S. Senanayake has deteriorated under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe today. The strong progressive UNP politicians who loved the Nation have joined the Government to strengthen the operation against terrorism and the development program of President Rajapaksa.

He said the Government would record a landslide victory against the UNP in the February 14 election.

“It is a greater victory that the international communities appreciate the moves taken by our Government in combating terrorism.

Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi had stated that President Rajapaksa was a hero and the Indian Foreign Minister had stated during a press briefing in India that they would support President Rajapaksa in his effort to eliminate terrorism from Sri Lanka.

“Once the LTTE is defeated in the North, the people there would be given a political solution the same as the Eastern Province.

It was under our Government that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was enacted in the Eastern Province. We could form the Provincial Council in the Eastern Province.”

The Minister said the Opposition complained that the Government is only engaged in the war and we say that as if the Opposition could not see the humanitarian operation properly they cannot see the development programs conducted by the Government.

“For certain Grama Seva divisions, our Government has allocated nearly Rs 60 million for their development projects. We are not engaged in a war but we are conducting a humanitarian operation,” he said.

The Minister said the Government has completed the Kerawalapitiya mega power station, completed many flyover bridges and constructed expressways which the Opposition does not see.

He said the Government expects a strong opposition which is a requirement of democracy. A strong opposition is a blessing to a Government and the country and based on these grounds, the Government invited the Opposition to engage in the election campaign at least in the last week.