Govt managed economy well-President

Chaminda PERERA in Kuliyapitiya

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday the Government brought the country under a massive development drive while billions of rupees were spent to eradicate terrorism. He said the Government was able to manage the country’s economy by cushioning the adverse impacts of the global financial crisis.

“We faced the global financial crisis and food crisis effectively due to the sound and dynamic economic policies followed by us,” he said.

President Rajapaksa said he was not prepared to give promises that cannot be realized.

The President added that he delivered what he promised to the people at the last presidential election and will keep his promise by bringing unprecedented development during his next term as the President after January 27.

The President was speaking at a rally to uphold his victory at the forthcoming election.

The meeting was held at the Kuliyapitiya Technical College Grounds.

President Rajapaksa also stressed that he is not in the habit of giving false promises to the people with the sole objective of winning an election.

“The Opposition is in the game of giving various false promises to the public to attract more votes,” he said.

He added that no force can not be allowed to reverse the achievement gained by country. He said the Opposition attempted to divide the country into two parts through an agreement with the terrorists.

“No one is allowed to betray the achievement made by the country after sacrificing thousands of lives,” he stressed.

The President said he fulfilled what the people expected from him at the last presidential election and remains committed to further develop this country during his next term.

Some elements in the opposition are engaged in a game of providing false promises to the people to win the election, he said.

President Rajapaksa said the majority of members in the Security Forces are from the Kurunegala district and the people in the district are more happier than any other districts due to the eradication of terrorism. UNP Bingiriya Pradeshiya Sabha member Gamini Wlijesekera joined the Government at this meeting.

Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Rural Industries Development Minister S.B. Navinna, Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Lands and Lands Development and Ranaviru Welfare Minister Jonston Fernando also spoke.