(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stressed that the government will not allow TNA leader R.Sampanthan to divide the country by the ballot in the same manner that the government did not allow LTTE leader Prabhakaran to divide the country by the bullet.
“It is the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) “Pohottuwa” that is going to win the General Election this time regardless of any agreements signed by whatever political parties regarding the North and the East,” the Prime Minister said.
“Therefore, there is no possibility at all to divide the country after the election and no one should have any doubts about this,” he added.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa was speaking during a public gathering held at the weekly fair premises in Minuwangoda during his tour of the Gampaha district in support of SLPP candidate Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, and Civil Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.
He added that Prasanna Ranatunga needs no introduction to the people since he is the most popular politician in the Gampaha district. He did not desert us during our most difficult time in 2015. Prasanna played a key role in forming the SLPP by closely associating with SLPP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa.People of this country and SLPP members never forget the sacrifice and commitment made by Prasanna Ranathunga for the blooming of the “Pohottuwa,” he said.
“I made huge sacrifices on behalf of the SLFP and contributed largely to guide the party on a victorious path after I became a SLFP MP in 1970. I was entrusted with several Ministerial portfolios and then served as Prime Minister and President of this country through the SLFP. However, when we were removed from the SLFP, we had to form a new party. Today, it has become the country’s leading political party marching on a victorious path,” he added.
“We were able to end the war against the world’s most ruthless terrorist organization. People are living in peace today irrespective of their race or religion. We never ended the war to achieve cheap political mileage. We are always of the stance that people from the North-East should be allowed to freely exercise their franchise at the elections. However, we will never allow any party to divide the country,” he added.
Industrial Export, Investment Promotion and Civil Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that it is only the Gotabaya-Mahinda coalition that can rebuild the country. We all have a chance to rectify our mistakes in 2015 and work towards the betterment of the country. Members of the “Yahapalanaya” government have been divided into two parties and accusing each other. They all should be held responsible for the destruction caused to the country during the past four and half years,” he added.
