President promises during his second term:

Developed moral society

Confident of taking country to greater victories:

Rasika SOMARATHNA in Anuradhapura

Addressing a mammoth crowd of over 100,000 at the inaugural UPFA Presidential election rally at Salgado grounds, Anuradhapura yesterday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he was very confident of taking the country to greater victories from January 27 after obtaining a second successful mandate, based on the experience and the knowledge gained in the struggles won to date.

“We shall also in the same manner ensure development, a morally rich society and a country free of corruption and waste,” he added. President Rajapaksa said he would secure a better future for the present and the future generation, in the way he ended the war to restore peace.

The President pointed out that when he took over in 2005 the country was at the threshold of being a divided nation.

“Certain elements had planned to divide this country. They were scheming both locally and outside of it. We did not have a strong government at that time. The Security Forces morale was at a very low ebb.”

“I with the help of others built a strong Government, changed the attitude of the people towards the Security Forces from one of negativeness to a positive outlook and carried out the most arduous exercise of eradicating terrorism in the country.”

“We also had to face the repercussions of a global economic recession and a food scarcity. However we were able to withstand them with resolve and emerge unscathed.”

“When the Tigers kept attacking innocent villages we were with them. I came to Kebithigollewa to share their grief when the bus was attacked.

We re-established the confidence of the farmers by giving them support. We provided fertilizer at the reduced price of Rs 350 when the prices soared to Rs 850 and later to Rs 9,000”.

“In addition to doing all this we also supported the security forces with necessary equipment, manpower etc.”

“We also obtained loans and assistance from outside to help the people but we did not bow down to any conditions”.

The President noted that he was seeking re-election even though he had two more years to complete his term as he had successfully completed the promises he had given, when he got elected for the first time.

He said the people assigned him with a special task of reuniting the Motherland and he was able to achieve what the people expected from him. The country is going for a Presidential election for the first time after terrorism was wiped out from the country, he added.

Incidentally, President Rajapaksa also launched his successful election campaign for Presidential stakes in 2005 from the sacred city of Anuradhapura.

Similarly this time round too, the President got on the stage after paying homage to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi earlier in the day. Leaders of all constituent parties of the UPFA and a number of Sri Lanka’s highly renowned artistes and literati too were on stage to greet the President.

Cabinet Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Maithripala Sirisena, Dinesh Gunewardena, Ferial Ashraff, D.M. Jayaratne, former UNP National Organiser S.B. Dissanayake, UNP MP Johnston Fernando, Renowned Actor and Literati Jackson Anthony, Wimal Weerawansa MP and North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake too addressed the gathering. Other Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentarians, local politicians and religious dignitaries of all faiths too were in attendance.