Any group free to leave or join Govt - President

Wimal Premaratne and Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared yesterday that any party or individual was free to leave or join the Government.

In a special interview with our sister newspaper Dinamina, President Rajapaksa stressed that he was not willing to work according to the agendas of various groups.

The President recalled that in November 2005 the people gave him a mandate to achieve peace and development and create a peaceful nation. This aim will be fulfilled.

He said more details in this connection will be divulged at today's SLFP meeting in Kurunegala.

This is the second 'Jana Hamuwa' (People's Rally) organised by the SLFP, President's Media sources said.

Such rallies are being held at district level by the SLFP, to inform the public of the present political situation prevailing in the country and the Government's plans for development in the aftermath of the Eastern victory. The first one was held in Nawalapitiya.

The development plans for the East under the 'Nagenahira Navodaya' (Eastern Resurgence) programme and the SLFP's future plans will be made public at this rally. Over 100,000 party members including ministers are to attend the rally which is to be presided by President Rajapaksa.

More such rallies are being planned islandwide.