Sri Lanka will not bow down to foreign pressures or local conspirators: President

Wednesday, 4 September 2013 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asserting that the Government will not bow down to foreign pressures or to local conspirators Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa has requested all the people to unite against foreign interference and safeguard the democracy in the country. The President made these remarks Monday addressing the massive crowd gathered at Maligapitiya Grounds in Kurunegala to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Pointing out that the main constituent party of the ruling alliance was always strengthened by the five great forces of Buddhist monks, indigenous doctors, teachers, farmers and the workers, the President said the youth in the country should be educated on the services provided by the party. A true socio-economic transformation was launched after the formation of the SLFP in 1951, the President said while pointing out that the SLFP built the local economy by nationalising the harbour, lands and transportation services. The President also pointed out that the SLFP was a people’s party that won power with the blessings of the people, winning their hearts not by conspiracy and the party has been able to walk along with and appreciate the leftist forces of the country. SLFP General Secretary and Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Senior Ministers S.B. Navinna and A.H.M. Fowzie, Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka, Dinesh Gunawardena and Vasudeva Nanayakkara also addressed the meeting. Earlier in the day the President made an unscheduled visit to Galagedara in Kandy and engaged in inquiring the progress of development activities in the area. He visited a garment factory in Kavudulla Galagedara and observed the production there. Senior Minister Sarath Amunugama, Minister C. B. Ratnayake, MPs Lohan Ratwatte and Dilum Amunugama, Kandy Mayor Mahendra Ratwatte and President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath accompanied the President.