Patriots' duty to elect strong government - Defence Secretary

Bandara Pilawala - Kandy

The duty of all patriotic forces is to elect a strong government at the forthcoming general election so that it could implement an effective development program for the country's benefit, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said. He was addressing a conference of the Kandy District Maha Sangha at the Queen's Hotel Kandy yesterday.

He said it is necessary to elect candidates who love the country and work for the development of the country and it will be necessary to defeat the communal, minded politicians who are trying to destroy the country's progress.

It would also be necessary to make sacrifices to fulfill the aspirations of the people to build an undivided nation.

The rapid development programs started in the Northern and Eastern Provinces should be understood as giving equal opportunities to the people of those regions and anyone who understood the significance of the rehabilitation and resettlement program would not act along narrow communal lines he said.

Tourism Minister Faizer Musthapha, Media Centre for National Security Director Lakshman and eminent broadcaster J.R.P. Suriyapperuma also spoke.