People's mandate strengthens confidence in President

The confidence the people of Sri Lanka had placed on President Mahinda Rajapaksa after he destroyed ruthless LTTE terrorism during his first term in office has now been strengthened by the clear majority this Government has been given to embark on the President's pledge - developing the country - during his second term.

A cross-section of people the Sunday Observer interviewed said they voted for the UPFA Government to strengthen the hands of President Rajapaksa, who was the only leader whom they hope would drive the country in the path to become one of South Asia's giants in the aftermath of the three decades long deadly war against terrorism.

"Now we feel the country has a future under correct leadership", Yamuna Perera, a housewife and mother of two grown-up daughters said.

She said though short-sighted people complain about the high cost of living, the Government was making efforts to provide relief to people. Perera said that the biggest relief for mothers like her was the defeating of the LTTE, to make their lives fear-free.

"Mothers and wives know how we suffered years ago. I voted for the UPFA and also influenced my two sisters and their family members, who were a little critical about some of the Government politicians, to vote for this government", she said.

Gemunu Weerasinghe, a three-wheeler driver from Kurunegala hails from a strong 'UNP family'. But, swimming against the tide, the newly married young man voted for the UPFA amidst his father's protests.

"We hoped for a change in the UNP leadership. The UNP is always on a bad wicket due to the poor performances of its leadership. They never wanted changes. The only leader that has a clear vision is President Rajapaksa. He kept his first promise of winning the war; why not give him a second chance to make his second pledge a reality ?", he asked.

Chandrasiri Vithanage, a Senior Assistant General Manager of a finance company wants newly-elected Parliamentarians to be committed to President Rajapaksa's vision - develop the country.

He said he voted for the UPFA not because of his faith on any politician, but because he respected President Rajapaksa as the only leader that was single-minded until destroying the LTTE.

"He is the only leader that reiterated that the LTTE could be destroyed and gave continuous political leadership until Prabhakaran was killed at the Nandi Kadal lagoon.

He is the only leader that did not kneel down to the West. He is the only leader in recent history that kept the Sri Lankan identity. I voted for the UPFA to strengthen his leadership", he said.

Vithanage said he strongly believed that President Rajapaksa was the only leader who could develop the country. He said people were happy that a considerable number of development projects were completed under the UPFA Government alondside fighting and pouring money to defeat terrorism.

"The President should caution his new parliamentarians to genuinely work for their people in the respective electorates", he said.

Vithanage said that he expected the new government to minimise wastage and use that money to develop the country.

Bimal Wijesinghe, a senior manager of a private company, said the people of this country had taken a correct decision. They had shown their gratitude to the leader who secured them a future free of terrorism.

"This Government under the leadership of President Rajapaksa will improve the economy. The war is no more thanks to the strong political commitment of the President.

"Except for those who were misled and voted for the other political parties, the majority of people have given a clear mandate to the government to go ahead", he said.

-SS