Win for me the village I’ll win for you the country

The Government’s intention is to lead the country towards prosperity under an accelerated development program, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday asking the people to win for him the village and he would win for them the country.

President Rajapaksa was addressing a meeting in support of UPFA candidates contesting the local government elections at the Kurunegala Maligapitiya ground yesterday. The President told the crowd to rally round the Government.

He promised to build a country where Sri Lankans could live proudly without any differences.

President Rajapaksa said he has visited Wayamba several times and was sure the masses would vote for the UPFA at the March 17 Local Government elections.

President Rajapaksa urged the Pradeshiya Sabha candidates to work as one team for a UPFA victory. He advised them to carry out their election campaign in a disciplined and democratic manner. He said the Local Government election which will elect the most suitable persons to develop the village is not an election that will change the Government but one that will get work done by the Government.

The President said Government has laid the foundation to develop the country although they had to face obstacles at the beginning by those who attempted to divide the country.

“We defeated such forces not only in the North but development was curtained even in the south during the last 30 years due to terrorism,” he said.

“We are not developing the country with the aim of winning the elections. When there are elections or not, we are dedicated in our task for the progress and prosperity of the country, the President asserted.

Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake said a lot of UNPers are joining the UPFA.

“This shows the confidence they have in the Government,” he said.

The Government has taken steps to strengthen rural economy, Dissanayake said.

Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Johnston Fernando and T B Ekanayake, Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe, Senior Minister S B Navinna and Deputy Minister Jayaratne Herath also addressed the gathering.