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| Sunday, 31 July 2005 |
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Peace, law and order Mahinda's top priority by Lionel Yodhasinghe Leading the country towards peace and plenty, and building a value based society where law and order reigns to enable people to live sans fear and suspicion are top on the agenda of SLFP Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. Moored in the traditional support base of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, salted in the grime of politics for 35 years Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has matured into a national level politician making a bid to reach the top of the greasy pole. He is expected to open windows to let in fresh breeze to take the country forward. 'All progressive forces including those within the UNP ranks who are unhappy with the present leadership are welcome to rally round me under the banner of the SLFP to march towards this goal, Premier Rajapakse' told the Sunday Observer on Friday. Soon after Rajapakse's name was announced as the next Presidential candidate at a press conference on Thursday, SLFP General Secretary Maitripala Sirisena denounced speculation in some media that there was a split within the party over the nomination of a Presidential candidate. The announcement has given new vigour to members to unite to face the future challenges successfully, he said. Government media spokesman and Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the UNP has made a big fuss over the date of the next Presidential election and the delay of announcing an SLFP candidate. We have fielded not only a strong candidate but a Prime Ministerial nominee too. Now we challenge Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe to announce his nominee. Our party will negotiate with all other parties including Tamils and Muslims to obtain their support to ensure victory of our candidate. 'We have time till November 2006 to prepare for the election', he said. Meanwhile, Premier Rajapakse said that boosting the national economy by increasing production and intensifying international trade had been given top priority in his development schedule. Economic development will be accelerated in tune with the global trends to tap international markets for our goods. Meeting these challenges is a must. A growing economy will create employment for the youth. The masses irrespective of ethnic or social status especially the ordinary Sri Lankans would be able to enjoy the benefit of development under a national oriented economy, he said. Therefore I urge the business community to promote their business
ventures speedily and foreigners to invest more on viable projects. As a
Government we will provide them with all necessary facilitation in this
regard" Premier Rajapakse said. |
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