'President's pledge became reality'

The pledge to liberate the country from terrorism and restore peace given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa became a reality on May 19, 2009 before his first term ended, said Petroleum Industries Minister and UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha in a message of greetings to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to mark his birthday and the first anniversary of assumption of his second term of office.

The message issued on behalf of the UPFA said President Rajapaksa had a wealth of 40 years experience in his political life when he assumed duties for his first term of presidency after the November 17, 2005 Presidential election. Before his first term ended he fulfilled his pledge to wipe out terrorism and restore peace on May 19, 2009.

Although no act of terrorism took place in the country since then, foreign forces including LTTE sympathisers and certain politicians were threatening the accomplishment by spearheading an international programme to challenge and denigrate the country and the people. While the opposition has weakened itself with its own making there has been no challenge to President's leadership locally. The President has overcome international challenges and emerged as a world leader. The fame and popularity gained by him as a world leader is seen by the way he was received by world leaders when he attended international fora like the SAARC summit and the CHOGM.

While successfully facing international challenges, the President is today engaged in a massive development programme countrywide.

The people have applauded this giant programme as a successful programme which is evident in the immense mandate given to the UPFA at the local council elections held in three stages in March, July and October this year.

I wish him good health, strength, determination and success in transforming Sri Lanka to the wonder of Asia through the Mahinda Chinthana programme within the next few years, said the message.