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President tells candidates in Anuradhapura:
UPFA will form stable Govt
Rasika Somarathna in Anuradhapura
*Calls to uphold discipline
*People have faith in UPFA
President Mahinda Rajapaksa predicted that the United People’s
Freedom Alliance (UPFA) would form a stable Government at the conclusion
of the April 8 parliamentary elections in line with the people’s
expectations.
President Rajapaksa made these observations addressing UPFA
candidates for the Parliamentary elections at President’s House in
Anuradhapura after all candidates made a pledge before the President to
commit themselves to a free and fair election.
The pledge was made following religious observances by the candidates
under the President’s patronage on Saturday.
The religious observances followed the ceremony at President’s House
signalling the UPFA campaign launch for the general elections, where
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and all UPFA candidates
participated.
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Religious observances |
* Jaya Sri
Maha Bodhi where Sangha blessed candidates
* Christian candidates engaged in religious observances at St.
Joseph’s Cathedral in Anuradhapura
* Hindu religious ceremony was held at Sri Kadireshan Kovil in
Anuradhapura
* Islamic religious observances at Mohideen Jummah Mosque
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Addressing the candidates after they made their pledge, President
Rajapaksa reminded them that the people had kept faith with the UPFA on
a continued basis since 1994.
The UPFA had always kept faith and had taken steps to uphold the
people’s franchise, he said.
“We never subjugated the path of democracy. We did not believe in
alternative routes and did not mislead the people by holding bogus
referendums. This is why the people trusted us and continues to trust
us. You should ensue its continuity,” he noted.
The UPFA, the President said is a combination of many political
parties and derived strength from its diversity. The President said the
UPFA on this occasion was contesting all electorates from Dondra head to
Point Pedro.
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I believe in trust not sworn
affidavits - President |
| President
Mahinda Rajapaksa said he believed in trust and not in sworn
affidavits when dealing with party candidates.
He added that he had a very open
policy based on trust and if anyone wished to leave, then the
door was open and on the other hand if anyone wished to come in,
the door was open for them as well.
President Rajapaksa noted that
harmony and team work among all could not exist without such
trust and urged all candidates to join hands as one with the
leadership to propel the UPFA towards an unprecedented victory.
RS |
The President however cautioned the candidates not to give false
promises or get embroiled in bitter battles in search for preferential
votes to get elected.
“Tell the truth. You can take a leaf out of the Mahinda Chinthana in
this regard,” he added.
President Rajapaksa also emphasized the need to uphold party
discipline and cautioned the candidates about husslings for the Manape.
The President while emphasizing that the people’s free will should
prevail, cautioned that any breach of discipline would be dealt with
severely by the party General Secretary. President Rajapaksa called on
the candidates not to force their will on the people, but instead give
due respect to the public opinion and take examples from that.
He said the elected candidates should represent the public opinion
and should give voice to it within Parliament.
President Rajapaksa also cautioned the candidates not to seek extra
comforts or elevate themselves to a higher pedestal at the expense of
public vote.
All candidates promised to work together disregarding all differences
to safeguard the sovereignty of the Motherland and to steer it towards
prosperity. |
