UPFA polls victory:

Ending economic slavery - the aim

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

It was no miracle that the UPFA has once again captured power winning the majority of the Local Government bodies at the polls held on March 17.

It is a victory that has not fallen from the sky but was brought due to the sheer dedication of the Head of State, who was determined to continue his mission to steer the country's development starting at village level in the post conflict era.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who knows the heart beat of the village people, always believed that the village is the epi-centre of the country's development.

Setting an example to others, he stepped into the LG polls campaign addressing villagers in the four corners of the country, leading the UPFA to another victory. He called villagers to rally around the UPFA to convert the villages into strong economically sustainable units.

President Rajapaksa is very focused to bring economic prosperity in his second-term, after keeping his first pledge - destroying the three-decade long scourge, LTTE terrorism in his first term of office.

Leading the UPFA village level politicians under the theme of 'Sapiri Gamak-Supiri Ratak' (an abundant village-a self-sufficient nation), the President addressed over 21 public rallies and 14 mini rallies in support of UPFA candidates.

Explaining the initiatives taken by the UPFA government to strengthen the villages, he pledged to commence the mission to develop villages from March 17 to end economic slavery.

"Support the Government to make the country 'Wonder of Asia' the President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. Addressing the UPFA Trincomalee district conference he called all Sri Lankans to be united shedding differences to accelerate the country's development. " If we are united we can make Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia," the President who addressed the gathering in Tamil said.

"Our government has proved that we can get the support of all political parties to develop the country. They have their own different views but when it comes to developing the country, they are all with the government", he said adding that politicians from the UNP, JVP, SLMC, TNA and other major political parties are supporting the government today to develop the country.

"The Government is able to get the support of even former LTTE members to development process. Today people are enjoying true freedom after defeating terrorism, which destroyed the country for over 30-years.

This is the chance for you to elect representatives, who could develop the village and also can work with the government to fulfill the aspirations of the people. The UPFA has appointed teams which are capable and committed to serve the people and also support the development initiatives of the government to uplift the living standards of the villages.

The East was in a bad state due to terrorism but development has reached these areas with the dawn of peace. Today an all inclusive hospital at a cost of Rs. 500 million is coming up in Trincomalee town.

We have taken steps to repair all the dilapidated and destroyed roads. In addition new roads are constructed. Concreted roads are coming up at village level. We have taken steps to strengthen the school system.

Our target is to provide equal opportunities in education for all irrespective of where they live".

"Strengthening the agriculture sector in the North and the East is the priority that the government has taken in our development goals. To achieve this target we have taken steps to provide subsidized fertilizer to farmers including vegetable growers.

Recently we have started an islandwide program to have home gardens which aims to uplift the living standards of one million families. We would take one family as one economic unit and provide assistance to uplift their living standards and expand their income earning capacity. President Rajapaksa urged the people to work as a team to bring victory to the 'Betel Leaf'.

The country needs a strong Opposition at a mini - public rally held in Matara, the President said the political engagement by the Opposition was detrimental to country and stressed the need of a strong Opposition to stand for the people of the country. "Unfortunately the Opposition is engaged in politics which harmful to the country's image and also the peaceful situation.

While the UPFA is engaged in local politics, the Opposition is engaged in politics abroad. Today, the country needs a strong Opposition to speak on behalf of the people and not to betray the motherland in a manner detrimental to the interest of the nation.

That is why the UNP politicians have gone abroad to achieve their political agendas.

Shed political differences

President Mahinda Rajapaksa calling all Sri Lankans to shed narrow politics to ensure a steady development in the country, said the UPFA government had never taken decisions with the intention to remain in power.

Addressing a public rally held in Gampaha he ensured his fullest dedication to develop the country and also to maintain peace in the country.

At the meeting he predicted a landslide victory for the UPFA candidates in the LG polls and LG polls was not an election aimed at toppling the Government.

"This is not an election capable of changing the present regime, but strengthening the government", he said explaining the steps taken by the government to uplift the lifestyle of people and also to develop the country.

"We think the present lifestyles of the people need to be changed to have a meaningful development. People spend a large sum of money on liquor and smoking. Due to liquor and smoking, thousands of people become ill and have to take treatment from Government hospitals. We spend a large sum of money on the health of the people and also to give free education to children.

Our task, to be among the greatest

"Our task as a nation, is to be among the greatest nations. Support the UPFA and stand united with the government to realise this goal to bring a better future for all", President Rajapaksa addressing the UPFA Polonnaruwa District Conference held in support of candidates contesting the LG polls said.

"This government will never give broken promises. We kept our pledge by bringing freedom after eradicating LTTE terrorism.

After the successful completion of the humanitarian mission, now the government has given another pledge that we would develop this country to bring a prosperous future. As we did it earlier, we are fully committed for our mission. Join hands with us to realise this and ensure a better and prosperous future for our children.

Explaining the UPFA policy of giving priority to uplift agriculture and local industries, he said the Government was in the process of reviving the above which were dragged on the path of destruction by the present Opposition when in power.

" Sri Lanka had a self-sufficient economy mainly due to the country's strong agricultural base. But this was neglected by the present Opposition when in power. Today the UPFA government is in a process of reviving local agriculture by providing all the assistance to farmers as well as families, which like to engage in agriculture".

"The era where farmers committed suicide is now over. Today they are getting a stable and a good price for their products. The Government is providing subsidized fertilizer to assist them.

We want to develop the country where everybody can see and feel the change when travelling outside Colombo and in the villages. Our aim is to achieve self-sufficiency by 2012 and to ensure that all the houses are electrified by 2012.

Expedite development

President Rajapaksa attending a series of mini-public rallies in Hambantota said the government would take greater strides towards developing villages from this 17th onwards with new strength from stronger Pradeshiya Sabhas, amidst the blessings of the people.

"We always believed that developing the village will develop the nation. Our plan is to strengthen the individual, protect the family, strengthen the village and develop the country'.The objective of this election is to expedite the Government's development programs.

"Let us all unite to rebuild this country for our future generations. I hope all those who like village development would vote for the UPFA to speed up the set goals", he said.

At another meeting, President Rajapaksa pledged not to destroy the future for the children and urged the support of all patriotic Sri Lankans to rally around the UPFA to defeat unseen forces which were engaged in petty politics to gain their hidden political agendas.

"The Opposition parties were doing this by spreading a false rumour to the effect that there were moves to extend the daily school sessions.

They were doing this to distort the minds of schoolchildren. The Opposition is resorting to such lowly tactics to disrupt the government's program of work because it had nothing pragmatic to say in the open.

"Thank you"

President Rajapaksa, who predicted a landslide victory for the UPFA at the LG polls throughout his polls campaigns thanked all voters who gave the UPFA a landslide victory at the Local Government elections.

"I convey my thanks to all the people who brought a great victory to the United People's Freedom Alliance at the recently concluded Local Government polls.

"The people's verdict has proved the fullest confidence they kept on the Government and has endorsed our program to develop this country under the theme Sapiri Gamak Supiri Ratak which is a part and parcel of the Mahinda Chintana concept.

I wish to state that my dedication to fulfill the aspirations of the people will continue as we did in the past.

"In conclusion, I wish to convey my sincere thanks to all the people who brought victory to the Government, other political parties, candidates, Commissioner of Elections, his staff, Police, the Security Forces for their services to conclude the election successfully."