President Says He is Not for Separating the Country but to Unite

The manifesto of Presidential candidate of the UPFA, President Mahinda Rajapaksa titled - "Mahinda Chintana - Extended Version" (Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dakma) was presented to the nation today at a ceremony, at the BMICH, Colombo.

The President first presented copies of the manifesto to the Maha Sangha and all religous dignitaries present on the occasion.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a gathering packed to capacity at the BMICH to mark the release of his election manifesto titled "Mahinda Chinthana -extended Version" pledged to build a strong and healthy society and make Sri Lanka the most vibrant nation in Asia.

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) presidential candidate President Mahinda Rajapaksa when releasing his election manifesto “Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma” said his development plan for the country did not include a single word against the country’s sovereignty.

The President emphasized that a vote for the Betel Leaf at the Presidential election would be a vote to ensure the freedom of this nation and the people.

The Head of State said that he took over a torch burning at both ends in 2005 as terrorism was at its' peak and the nation divided by a controversial ceasefire agreement."Many though I could not face those challenges. the hope I had was the trust of the people and my self - confidence", said the President.

“I defeated the LTTE terrorism which whole the world said “impossible”. We; the United Peoples Freedom Alliance government defeated the terrorism which had halted the country’s development for a period of almost thirty years”, the President added.

He said it was a task idled by many claiming it was impossible to meet."I took on those challenges and proved it could be met", he added.

Recalling the past, the President said Prabakaran and the LTTE were the most powerful and ruthless terror outfit in thw world."Today they are no more and I have put Sri Lanka back on the map", he said with courageous smile.

The President warned that there were sections at present trying to give into terrorism again and urged the people to exercise caution."These groups are trying to make way for another Eelam struggle in this country", said the President.

The President called upon the people to be ready to defeat such forces and added that the people had the will and courage to defeat such anti-national groups.

Referring to development, the President said the Sri Lanka map was new with five ports coming up round the country."We have started gigantic development projects in this country already and the people could reap benefits", he noted.

The President said it was time to continue development that began four years ago and the next decade would be named the "Development Decade" of Sri :Lanka.

These are the highlights of the manifesto:

• Sri Lanka: the emerging “Wonder of Asia”

• A prosperous country; a land of plenty

• Comforts, convenience and satisfactory life styles

• Developed road network and transport system

• Disciplined and law abiding society

• A unitary state, not to be divided

• Shared values, rapid development and lasting peace

• Respect for fauna and flora

• Priority for Youth

• Focus on modern education and knowledge systems

• A Healthy society

• Entrepreneurs with strength to conquer the world

• Reawakening the performing arts

• “Brain gain” replacing “brain drain”

Stating that Sri Lanka was now a nation of one people, the President said he would soon hold the provincial election in the North to give power to the people over there to administer their needs."I was in Jaffna, Vavuniya and the East during the weekend and people there were with all smiles indicating the need was development", he pointed out.

The President said he was a leader who stood against international pressure to protect the nation and would not allow fraudsters to pick pocket US dollars from our national economy.

He said the youth in the country valiantly fought the wart to victory and he was confident that they would be partners in the development drive of the nation.

- Asian Tribune -