Celebrate victory peacefully - PM

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka yesterday requested the people to celebrate the convincing victory achieved by the President in a manner that would not cause hindrance to others.

The Prime Minister in a statement issued on the President’s victory said the results of the Presidential election were loud and clear.

The people have truly endorsed the Mahinda Chinthana policies put forward before them. The people have also accepted the fact that the President had fulfilled his earlier pledges during the last four years.

The results of the Presidential election showed that the people had acclaimed the peaceful environment created in the country by ending 30 years of brutal terrorism.

But a certain section tried give a new lease of life to terrorism which had been roundly defeated and the majority had taught the proper lesson to such sections.

The battle to develop the country had been launched and the President had requested the support of all to make it a success. The duty of all patriots at this hour was to forget all petty differences and join hands to assist the development effort. Patriotic feelings should be utilised for the betterment of the country.

“We should celebrate victory in a peaceful and intelligent manner without hurting others. Hurting others was contrary to Buddhist teachings and humanism.

“The indecent habit of hurting others in victory was given a fullstop in 1994.

“Therefore, I appeal to all countrymen to celebrate the victory without causing hindrance to others as doing so will only devalue the victory gained,” the Prime Minister said.