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by M.P. Muttiah

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said that he would make provision to grant pensions to all State employees. Speaking at a public meeting organised by the five-party United Left Front at the Public Library Auditorium in Colombo on Oct. 6, the Prime Minister said that there were two categories, who are eligible to pensions and others are not.

Speaking on peace initiative he said that peace could be achieved only when Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and others are united. He promised that he would build a society that is free from differences for the sake of the future generation. He said no solution could be found without approaching the problems in a practical manner.

Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera said that the ethnic problem turned out to be an ethnic war after 1977. The Black July of 1983 ushered in a new era of bloody holocaust, death and destruction. He said the neo-liberal policies thrust on the people by the UNP regime had caused untold suffering to the masses.

"Mahinda Rajapakse is closer to the people and he feels the pulse of the masses. His origin, background, maturity and experience in contrast with that of Ranil Wickremesinghe testify to his suitability to assume the leadership," he said.

Science and Technology Minister Tissa Vitharana said that with the closing down of the CWE and its retail outlets, the UNP had destroyed an effective mechanism that helped to bring down the cost of living.

Democratic Left Front Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse would formulate a new economic policy suitable to national development. Sri Lanka Mahajana Party's General Secretary Ranjith Navaratne said that Mahinda Rajapakse would ensure equal rights to all communities.

Desavimukthi Janatha Party leader D.M.Podiappuhamy questioned as to how, the UNP that burnt down the Jaffna Library could speak of unity of the country.

Ceylon Plantation Worker's Union leader Mohan Subramaniam said that the presidential election is a fight between the just and unjust. He expressed the hope that justice would prevail with the victory of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse at the presidential polls.

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