President to voters at Girandurukotte:

Defeat threat to stability

Rasika SOMARATHNA in Girandurukotte, Mahiyangana

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday called on the people to defeat another unforeseen threat to the country’s stability at the January 26 election, which has come in the form of a secret pact. Addressing a public rally at the Mahaweli grounds in Girandurukotte yesterday, the President urged the gathering to defeat elements who were scheming to usher such divisions in the country again, just to gain petty political mileage.

“With tremendous sacrifice we united the Nation which was on the verge of being divided,” he said. “When we took over the responsibility of governing the country it was on the verge of being divided”.

“Terrorists had their own administrative structure, Courts, Police, Armed Forces and even separate identity cards for people living in those areas. Debilitating self-doubt, divisions, fear, neglect of development etc. prevailed in the country. Some people even were afraid to call a terrorist, a terrorist out of fear for their lives,” President Rajapaksa said.

“We accepted the challenge head on. We pledged that we would unite this country once again.

My vision for a new Sri Lanka - Mahinda Chintana emphasized the need to protect the unitary nature of the country. As a result we stood up to this challenge with new resolve and together as a nation, we overcame the deadly challenge of terrorism, bringing to an end to 30 years of mindless brutality,” the President added.

He noted that since overcoming the threat posed by terrorists, the Government was now even more focused on diverting energies to development; continuing the many massive projects launched in the midst of the fight against terror, and launching new ventures to bring the progress it has been denied for a long period.

He added that the Government was looking forward to build a land of peace, unity and opportunity for the future generation.

The President stressed that even during the war, the Government had not neglected development and had laid the foundation to create a knowledge - based society and boost development through construction of harbours, airports, extensive road networks, electricity generation projects etc.

He added that several mega development projects too had been ear - marked for the Mahiyangana area.

He said that it was time to build on these foundations to secure a peaceful and prosperous Nation for the future generation.

To realise this cherished goal, the President urged the people to act with renewed commitment to defeat conspirators and protect the stability of the State in the future.

The UPFA election rally held in support of President Rajapaksa saw a massive gathering in Girandurukotte about 15 Km from Mahiyangana town, belonging to the Badulla district.

The event was also addressed by Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Johnston Fernando, Vadivel Suresh, Provincial Council Minister Anura Vidanagamage, and others. Minister Dilan Perera and Bandarawela Mayor Nalin Suriyage were also present.