To express gratitude

Leaders tell Muslims to vote for President

by Mohammed Naalir

Minister Ferial Ashraff	Minister M.S.S. Ameer Ali

National Unity Alliance Leader and Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff said that it is the duty of the masses in the Eastern Province, specially the Muslims to show their gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa who restored peace and prosperity eradicating LTTE terrorism in the Eastern Province after nearly three decades.

The people in the province can breathe freely as they were freed from bomb blasts and shootings of the LTTE terrorists.

Realising the fact the Muslims in the Eastern Province must cast their votes for the victory of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, she said.“Islam gives prominence to the concept of gratitude. Islam teaches us that until one who helps us is paid gratitude he or she becomes a person who failed to express gratitude to the Almighty.”

The forthcoming presidential election is the only available opportunity to pay their gratitude to President Rajapaksa, she added.

Minister Ashraff was also a victim of the LTTE terrorists, she recalled. Minister Ashraff said that If her husband was alive he really would have rendered his support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for achieving a historic victory against LTTE terrorists and paving the way to a better future for Muslims in the Eastern province.

She stressed the necessity for Muslims to flock around President Rajapaksa to protect their identity and dignity.

The Muslims in the Northern and Eastern provinces are really enjoying the freedom gained after the elimination of LTTE terrorism.

She added that leadership of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) is trying to lead the Eastern Muslims on a wrong path by supporting the UNP-JVP coalition.

“Only under the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa this peaceful situation arose in the Eastern Province. President Rajapaksa is the only leader who brought this peace and prosperity to Eastern Province Muslims.” The eradication of LTTE terrorism helped build up a mutual relationship between Muslims and Tamils.

All Ceylon Muslim Congress Leader and Disaster Relief Services Minister M.S.S. Ameer Ali said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s victory has already been confirmed in the Eastern Province and indeed, all around the country.Minister Ali said that farmers in the Eastern Province who could strengthen their economy due to the fertilizer subsidy have flocked around the President to assure his victory.

“There is no doubt about the victory of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people in the Eastern Province joined hands with the victorious team of President Rajapaksa,” he stressed. In addition Minister Ameer Ali said that only by electing President Mahinda Rajapaksa the fundamental rights of Muslims can be protected. Their identity and dignity will also be protected.

Minister Ali said that when a country battles terrorism it is impossible to implement mega development projects but the President made it possible.

“It is the duty of the masses to elect such a bold leader for the sake of entire country. The Muslims in the Eastern Province must not be ungrateful.”

With the intention of promoting the living standards of masses in Batticaloa, Ampara districts he implemented mega road development projects as well as livelihood development projects.

The Kinniya bridge is a gateway for development of Kinniya and surrounding areas. The Pudawaikkattu bridge too was constructed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Oluvil harbour will be the main employment generating avenue for unemployed youths in the Eastern province.

“It is the bounden duty of every citizen to elect President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The people in the Eastern Province were harassed by the LTTE. They were brutally killed by the LTTE. The farmers gave up their paddy lands which were in LTTE dominated areas. Fishermen couldn’t go to the deep sea owing to LTTE threat”.

The LTTE became a giant force during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s regime in 2002. That regime provided all the facilities to strengthen the LTTE.“All communities in Sri Lanka are experiencing the real outcome of freedom and peace. This is the peace we want.”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the only suitable leader to govern this country. His leadership will secure the rights of the minorities in our country. If he was elected to another six years the problems of this country could be entirely solved while the country reaches the peak of development.”