UPF reiterates support for President

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

In keeping with the late leader P. Chandrasekaran's last wish, the Upcountry People's Front (UPF) has decided to put all their efforts for the victory of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the January 26 polls.

Deputy Minister of Vocational Training and Technical Training and a Vice President of the UPF P. Rathakrishnan said that the upcountry Tamils were committed to bring President Rajapaksa back to power and they were confident he would address the grievances of the Tamils more meaningfully during his second term. "All Sri Lankans know that he had to face many obstacles and fight many forces to defeat terrorism. He is the only leader who fearlessly fought all of them to bring peace. His first term was not so rosy and we have confidence that he will solve lots of problems during his second term", he said.

The former UPF Leader and Minister of Community Development and Inequality Eradication Chandrasekaran passed away last week and his wife Shanthini Chandrasekaran has been appointed as the Leader of the UPF.

Minister Rathakrishnan said that there would not be a change in their decision under the new leadership and they would carry forward the aims of the late leader and would rally round President Rajapaksa.

He said that there was no doubt President Rajapaksa would be elected for the second term and the estate Tamils have confidence that he would address most of their issues in the plantation sector.

" We have discussed our problems with the President and he agreed to redress them.

The solutions will be put before the people in his new manifesto that is to be released soon", he said.

Commenting on the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) decision, Deputy Minister Rathakrishnan said that those politicians should show a little more concern about taking their final decision as the Tamils who suffered for more than 50 years could not continue to do so.

He said that under President Rajapaksa there were no majority or minority people but he treated all as Sri Lankans.

Deputy Minister Rathakrishnan said that according to President Rajapaksa's manifesto, his priority during his second term was development of the country after defeating the 30-year-old terrorism.

"We are confident of his stance and he will solve the issues faced not only by estate Tamils but also all Tamils", he said calling upon the Tamils to join hands with President Rajapaksa to elect him the leader of the country on January 26.