Objectives of President’s next term:

Lasting peace and expedited development

My main objective in the next term is lasting peace and expedited development, the foundation for which has been already laid, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Editors and heads of media institutions at Temple Trees, Colombo yesterday morning.

“Having fulfilled the main mandate given to me last time to unify the country, I feel the time is opportune to seek the people’s approval for the progress achieved,” he added.

Since the people of the North could not participate at the last Presidential election, President Rajapaksa said that he felt it an ethical responsibility to let all people, including those in the North and the East have an opportunity to express their choice through the ballot.

Emphasising the need for a stable Government, the President observed that no development is possible if governments are changed often by the use of money or according to the interests of foreign powers.

The President also gave an assurance that he would leave no room for election violence. While thanking the media for the cooperation extended and the responsibility shown he called upon them to be just.

In reply to a query whether he would abolish the Executive Presidency during the next term, President Rajapaksa answered that no one would be more interested than him in abolishing it.