Overwhelming support for UPFA

The masses have heartily endorsed the Mahinda Chinthana, the popular policy statement introduced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Therefore, the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has been given a stronger Parliament with 117 seats (of the 180 announced so far) to take Sri Lanka to new social and economic horizons in the next six years.

The UPFA has proved its popularity both in the urban and rural areas, increasing its vote base further, following its resounding victory at the last presidential election. Be it the North Central, Southern or Uva Province, the UPFA has inflicted a humiliating defeat on the United National Party (UNP), which again has been relegated to the losing camp under the insecure leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The UNP has suffered its 25th election defeat under Wickremesinghe. It includes three presidential elections, three general elections and many provincial council and local government elections. The UNP must go for a new leader to overcome its losing mentality and form a stronger Opposition in Parliament.

In contrast, the UPFA has amply demonstrated its overwhelming public support all over the island, endorsing the vision of its leader - President Rajapaksa.

The unhealthy Sarath Fonseka - Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) alliance has been rejected in toto. The JVP won 41 seats at the 2004 general election. Despite its desperate attempts to prop Fonseka to woo votes, it has been a dismal failure with the Democratic National Front (DNF) securing only five seats from the entire island. The JVP failed to secure even a single seat in its strongholds in the Hambantota and Matara districts. This is a clear indication of how the JVP has been totally rejected.

Understandably, there was less enthusiasm and a relatively low voter turnout as the UPFA had already won January's presidential election. Since President Rajapaksa, after his re-election as the First Citizen in January, would continue to hold executive powers until November 2016, some people seemed to have shown less enthusiasm in the general election. Nevertheless, the UPFA has been re-elected, this time with a bigger majority, compared to the number of seats secured in 2004.

Hence, President Rajapaksa will have more freedom in taking vital decisions in the best interests of the country. The guiding principle of President Rajapaksa's second term and the newly-elected UPFA Government would be to drive Sri Lanka towards economic prosperity and enhance ethnic harmony.

The President's next goal will be to guide Sri Lanka towards economic prosperity, similar to how he commanded the Security Forces to a convincing victory over LTTE terrorists. Time and again Sri Lanka has proved to the world that we are a nation with a proud history and would not play second fiddle to extraneous forces. As a developing nation, we have a rich culture and a heritage which is second to none. President Rajapaksa has created the right atmosphere for all Sri Lankans to feel proud of their nation.

He has been instrumental in developing a new thinking and a greater feeling for our country. As a nation, we would by no means compromise our culture, values or dignity. The right political leadership, coupled with the steadfast commitment of our indomitable Security Forces, has created a conducive atmosphere where all of us could feel proud and stand tall as one nation.

In this scenario, Sri Lanka will prosper towards new economic horizons under the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dakma. The President and the UPFA Government would work tirelessly to achieve this goal and it's the duty of one and all to make a tangible contribution to achieve that cherished goal.

Never before in history have we felt so proud of our nation. The military successes in the battle against ruthless terrorism have made all of us feel strong and determined. Though most Governments earlier either bowed to foreign pressure or made a business out of the conflict, President Rajapaksa has proved himself a true patriot and a true son of the soil. This has enabled all citizens - Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers - to hold their heads high.

Sri Lanka is marching towards a new era, under a leader who has won a fresh mandate, a newly elected Government and a new vision. Now that the main elections - provincial councils, presidential and parliamentary - have concluded, we have to shed political differences and work together to usher in economic prosperity by 2017.

The liberation of the Northern and Eastern Provinces has opened new horizons, especially the island's tourism industry, which has shown a marked improvement. Those in the tourism industry, who were adversely hit by terrorist acts and the sharp drop in the number of tourist arrivals, have now heaved a sigh of relief. The hotels in the Southern and Eastern coasts are enjoying the increased dividends in business, thereby reaping the benefits after almost three decades of terrorism.

The farmers in the North and the East are making a worthy contribution to the national economy. Fishing and dairy industries are thriving, thereby increasing the purchasing capacity of the people in those provinces.

President Rajapaksa is now entrusted with the task of uniting all sections of our people. He has willingly taken on the noble task of creating peace among all communities in Sri Lanka. By endorsing the President's vision at successive elections, the masses have not only extended their overwhelming support to the leader who saved the nation, but also sent a clear signal to the international community in no uncertain terms.

The President will now use the fresh mandate he obtained to re-establish all that was lost during the past 30 years due to the conflict. Sri Lanka which fell back as a result, is advancing by leaps and bounds. The Government's aim is to double the country's per capita income to USD 4,000 within the next six years. It is needless to state that it's the bounden duty of all patriotic citizens to work with sincerity of purpose and indefatigable zeal to reach that goal.