President says people’s representatives should set an example to the public

President Maithripala Sirisena said the people’s representatives should set an example through their conduct to create a political culture of a high standard.

The President said this during a meeting yesterday at the President’s House in Colombo with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) members who were victorious at last month’s Local Government Elections.

The President told the new councillors that they should contribute to resolving the people’s issues in accordance with a timetable and be patient, attentive and principled, avoiding conflicts with the public.

President Sirisena also pointed out the need to work without fraud and corruption to achieve development targets while listening to the public. He requested the people’s representatives to work with commitment.

Sirisena expressed confidence that the new representatives would strengthen the party and continue its political and development agenda, fixing shortcomings and not being discouraged by the results of the recent local government elections. He requested them to attend every local council meeting, providing their quality ideas and suggestions, and to commit themselves to public service. He also asked them to read books and newspapers and gain knowledge to achieve a better political future.

The President promised that he would facilitate development activities in the areas represented by the councillors and if necessary would award further financial assistance after assessing the progress of these initiatives.

At the occasion the local government representatives pledged to function in an honest and committed manner for a clean political movement.

SLFP Senior Vice Chairman Nimal Siripala de Silva, General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake, UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera and Minister Faiszer Musthapha also shared their views at the occasion.