Deviation from history

Nimal WIJESINGHE-Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

King Dutugemunu, one of the most respected former kings of Sri Lanka made the country victorious having defeated King Elara and his army with the help of 10 generals (giants) in his army. According to the Mahawamsa, King Gajaba fought the 'Cholas' from South India who invaded the country. With his battalion headed by giant Neela. These commanders never attempted to conspire against their kings for extracting the crown, said Mineral Sands Corporation Chairman Hemachandra Rajapaksa.

He was speaking at a meeting at Anuradhapura district graduates, held at the Anuradhapura coordinating office of Nation Building Minister S.M. Chandrasena.

He said the person who was only the army commander is competing for the presidency against the supreme commander of the forces in the cover of a non-party candidate.

Such types of traitorous and unethical acts were common only among western powers, he said.

"The nation has been endowed with a people friendly leader who knows the pulse of the people living from Point Pedro to Devundara and possessing a foresighted national and international vision. As he promised in the 2005 Presidential Elections President Mahinda Rajapksa eradicated the LTTE menace bringing in permanent peace and enthusiasm to the nation. The people know where was this so-called common candidate in 2005 when Mahinda Rajapaksa pledged to end the war.

He said it was a political tragedy the JVP has joined hands with the UNP which caused the massacre of 60,000 JVP members in the past.

"The retired general has been misguided and is running after a mirage and ultimately would get deserted and stranded, he said.