27.7.2008

H.E The President Mahinda Rajapaksa Addressing a rally in Anuradhapura in support of the United People's Freedom Alliance candidates contesting the North Western Provincial Council election yesterday (26), President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that no period in history since the time of King Parakramabahu the Great has seen a development drive as the present one launched by the Government.

The President also pledged that just as the East was liberated from the clutches of terrorists, so too will the last remaining strongholds of the LTTE, KIllinochchi and Mullaitivu, be liberated so that people living in those areas too can benefit from the Government's overall development strategy.

He further pointed out that what was happening in the North was nothing more nothing less than a humanitarian mission to reaffirm the right to life of all peoples, Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslims and others. He also praised the heroic efforts of the security forces, observing that they have already weakened considerably the strike capabilities of the LTTE and that theirs is a mission to recover a free and independent nation for all peoples.

President Rajapaksa said that the Government has focused on developing irrigation infrastructure in the country and in this regard several projects will be initiated in the province to rehabilitate tanks and other structures on the 14th of next month at a cost of Rs.7200 million.

Bertie Premalal Dissanayake, the former Chief Minister of the North Central Province observed that today the entire country is fast rallying around the President's vision and programme of action and expressed confidence that the UPFA will win the Provincial Council by a majority of over 100,000 votes.

Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Susul Premajayantha, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, NImal Siripala De Silva, C.B. Ratnayake, Tissa Karalliyadda, Felix Perera and Mervin Silva were also present, along with the former Opposition Leader of the Wayamba Provincial Council, Asoka Wadigamangawa, who crossed over from the United National Party.