No force can stop SLFP's forward march

No force can hamper the forward march of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the party will move forward on the correct path for a long time to come, President Mahinda Rajapaksa publicly declared amidst thunderous shouting of Jayawewa.

The President was speaking at the 63rd anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party held at the Vincent Dias stadium in Badulla last week, with the participation of thousands of party members from all parts of the country.

The anniversary celebration was held amidst a large gathering under the theme ‘Motherland and Freedom’ - Sirilakai Nidahasai The struggle against imperialism which was launched from Uva Wellassa in 1818 was completed only after the UPFA Government liberated the country by defeating terrorism, which plagued our Motherland for three decades, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

After liberating the country from terrorism, the government has taken measures to safeguard the democratic rights of the people, the President said.

The SLFP is one of the major political parties in Sri Lanka. It was founded by the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, D.A. Rajapaksa and Herbert Sri Nissanka on September 2, 1951 and since then, has been one of the two foremost political parties in the country.

In his address President Mahind Rajapaksa who is also the leader of Sri Lanka Freedom Party pointed out, “During those dark days, the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces were living in bondage due to LTTE terrorism, and could not utter a word against the terrorists, he added.

Jayawewa

During the dark days of terrorism, the country was stagnating without any development taking place in any sector”.

President Rajapaksa was received at the entrance of the Vicent Dias Stadium by Chief of the SLFP for Badulla district Minister Nimal Sripala de Silva and also by the Party’s General Secretary Minister Maitripala Srisena amidst thunderous shouting of Jeyawewa from the thousands of party cadres and supporters.

According to an on the spot estimate over 30,000 people gathered inside and outside the venue of the meeting and President Mahinda Rajapaksa a rousing welcome. People from all over the island from Point Pedro in the North to Hambantota in the South were present at the meeting.

Though just before the commencement of the meeting there was a heavy shower and despite the pouring rain thousands of party supporters were seen going around the meeting venue shouting slogans and waving party flags as well as national flags.

It was a sea heads inside and outside the meeting venue and at what stage President posed a questing to the audience do anybody has any slightest doubt after seeing the sea heads around and there was a response in chorus”No” and then shouting of ‘Jeya Weva’ resonated the whole area for a few minutes.

Brave ancestors

President said, “We not only liberated the country but also placed it on a rapid development track. All sectors such as economic, health, infrastructure including electricity, communication water etc. have achieved a significant growth.” He further added that the country in which all democratic rights and norms are guaranteed and protected is progressing. After liberation from terrorism, the people are today enjoying the fruits of freedom.

The President added that the then rulers entered in to a peace agreement in 2003 without considering the people’s wishes. That agreement was rejected by the people. The President said that the country maintains strong ties with all countries, be it with Asian, African, Latin American, European or Middle East nations. As a result of that many foreign leaders visit Sri Lanka to further strengthen these bonds.

Speaking on the achievement of the economic sector, the President said that the present per capita income is around US $ 3,500. It has been planned to increase this rate to US $ 7,000 by 2020. Besides, the poverty rate has been reduced to 6 percent.

President Rajapaksa said that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) decided to hold its 63rd anniversary celebrations in Badulla as a mark of the gratitude to our brave ancestors of the Uva Province who fought for the freedom of the Motherland.

The President noted that under his leadership, the Government is moving on the right path. “There is no doubt that the UPFA will secure a big victory at the forthcoming Uva Provincial Council election judging the large crowds attending the UPFA rallies,” the President added.

President Rajapaksa highlighted the dedication and devotion of party members as the SLFP celebrates its 63rd anniversary. He added that many politicians and party members have dedicated over four decades of their life for the betterment of the party, undergoing immense hardships and various difficulties.

“We have to respect the party leaders and the past members who dedicated a lot for the party’s progress. Late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike formed the SLFP to create a country friendly and people friendly party,” the President said.

“The SLFP which has been through many difficult times has now turned 63 and during its journey, many political leaders, including late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike protected the party from many threats. During the regime of Late Sirimavo Bandranaike the country faced many challenges and threats, but got over all of them,” the President said.

Five forces

“The late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and late D.A. Rajapaksa who entered Parliament from the Ruhuna took seats in the Opposition in July 1951 to usher a new beginning for the country. The patriotic people’s leaders gathered at the Colombo Town Hall in September 1951, thus giving birth to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, a novel political campaign giving a solemn pledge to the entire nation before embarking on a journey which identified the wishes of the Motherland,” the President added.

“It was not a difficult task for this party to create a journey which changes the destiny of the country. The Sanga, Veda, Guru, Govi, Kamkaru five forces united and rallied behind the Sri Lanka Freedom Party with one aim. It was this people’s force which gave a new lease of life to the motherland with the establishment of a new Government at the 1956 General Election,” the President said.

Mahinda Rajapaksa also spoke in Tamil language and said in the midst of a loud applause, We always do what we say and said that Tamils Muslims and Sinhalese are all Sri Lankan with equal rights and duties to this country. He emphasised that there is no minority in this country and all those live here Sri Lankans.