During elections:

Conspirators manipulate prices, says President

Suraj A Bandara and Indika POLKOTUWA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa noted that conspiratorial forces come to the arena during elections and create fabricated price hikes in commodities to mislead the public.

“We should get together to defeat these unpatriotic forces,” he said.

“These organized conspirators made futile efforts during the last Presidential Election by creating a rice shortage in the country. They managed to increase a kilo of rice to Rs 120. But people gave me a massive mandate and elected me President despite these sinister attempts,” President Rajapaksa said.

He observed these views during an awareness campaign for Kandy district SLFP candidates contesting the upcoming Local Governmental elections at the President’s House yesterday. The President said the price of commodities is decreasing and it will see a further reduction in the coming days.

President Rajapaksa said that even green leaves were imported in the past and this Government always worked for the benefit of the local farmer. “We will strengthen local farmers rather than foreign farmers,” he said.

The President urged the people to defeat groups engaged in mud slinging to gain political mileage.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne and Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake also addressed the meeting. Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem, Trade Minister Johnston Fernando and Sports Minister Mahindananda Alutgamage also participated.