President tells Galle rally:

Accelerated development with new vigour

Rasika SOMARATHNA

“We have laid a solid foundation to make Sri Lanka a marine, aviation, commercial, energy and knowledge centre to accelerate the development process with new vigour,” President Mahinda Rajapaksa said addressing a UPFA election rally in Galle yesterday.

The President was of the opinion that a strong Parliament majority would help the Government to pass relevant Acts and introduce Constitutional changes without much hassle which could speed up the development process and provide benefits to the people.

“We came up with new roads linking cities and carpeted by roads for villages. In addition electricity generation projects were initiated such as Norochcholai and Kotmale etc. We also have initiated the construction of five harbours and new airports and many more,” President Rajapaksa said.

“Benefits of these projects are for all the people and the whole country. Even in the Galle district I have to point out that the Nation Building Ministry alone has spent Rs 4,500 million for various development projects,” he said.

“As a result, now, a solid foundation exists for sustainable and equitable development. Give us a strong Parliament majority to accelerate the process,” he said.

President Rajapaksa also prevailed on both candidates and the UPFA supporters on the need to act as a cohesive unit.

He reminded the gathering that the UPFA was one cohesive unit and there should be no divisions within it.

He emphasized the need to act as a team to give UPFA an unprecedented victory and to return a maximum number of MPs at the April 8 polls.

The rally was also addressed by artiste Jackson Anthony and all contesting candidates.

Opposition Leader of Bope/Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha UNP Member M.K. Dahanayake got on stage to show his solidarity with the President and the UPFA.

In Galle 13 UPFA candidates are in the fray for 10 seats.