Largest ever crowd in A’pura - Minister D.M. Jayaratne

The largest ever crowd in my 58 years of political life was witnessed at the Anuradhapura public rally recently and this clearly shows President Mahinda Rajapaksa should give leadership to the country further, Plantation Industries Minister and Vice President of the SLFP D.M. Jayaratne said.

Minister Jayaratne was speaking at an awareness program on the Presidential Election on Saturday at the Postal Complex Auditorium, Kandy. The SLFP, as a governing party, always acted in accordance with the wishes and expectation of the people.

We also have a strong backbone which the Opposition lacks. That’s why they have fielded another character for the Presidential Election, the Minister said.

Despite foreign pressures to stop the war, our President went ahead with strong leadership to ensure the war victory.

I protected the SLFP. Even today I consider it my bounden duty to protect this party. The SLFP is a part of my life. I am also the only politician who has not changed political loyalty for the past 58 years.

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake addressing the program said both the UNP and the JVP had forgotten the past and added that the people would give a fitting reply to their political drama on January 26.

Provincial Councillors Sarath Sumanasekara (WPC), Nissanka Herath (CPC) and several others were also present.