Rally around President

Independent Union of University Lecturers:

Sanjaya ASELA MATURATA

The Independent Union of University Lecturers attached to the Peradeniya University in a joint statement issued yesterday has requested people to rally round President Mahinda Rajapaksa at this critical juncture and offer him strength to steer the country towards a better future while protecting its hard won freedom. They have said the patriotic people should never allow room for sinister forces assigned against the President to achieve their wicked aims and objectives.

The statement said the forthcoming elections which is the first election held in a united Sri Lanka after defeating terrorism militarily would decide the future of the country. People should realise that there is absolute peace in the country for them to move about in any part sans fear and suspicion. No Government could be expected to solve all problems in a country just six months after ending a 30 year war. Therefore, the prime responsibility of the people was to protect and safeguard the country which had been freed at great sacrifice and dedication without allowing it to move into the hands of foreign and separatist forces.

There are 110 signataries to the joint statement. Among them are Prof. Hanguranketha Dheerananda Thera, Harischandra Abeygunawardene, Gamini Samaranayake, K.A. Wettasinghe, M.D. Nelson, V. Nandakumar, M.M.O.R. Herath, Ranjith Premalal de Silva, W.A.J.M. de Costa, Lakshman Wijayaweera, N.D. Samarawickrame, K.A. Nandasena, Lakshman Dissanayake, M.D. Lamawansa, A. Jayasinghe, Gamini Buthpitiya, J.M.C. Udugama, Udaya Dangahadeniya, Dr. Sumanasiri Liyanage, Attanayake M. Herath, Charitha Herath and Vijitha Nanayakkara.