Embilipitiya: President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted that despite fighting a bloody war with the terrorists, the country’s economy was strong, vibrant and moving in the right direction to prosperity.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that the vote cast had to define whether liberating Kilinochchi was the right decision.

“Have absolute faith in us and cast your vote prudently for the country’s sake. Take steps to evict those who have parachuted here,” President Rajapaksa added.

The President made this assertion when he presided and addressed a massive rally at the Embilipitiya esplanade yesterday in a series of rallies organised by the Government in support of the UPFA candidates contesting the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council election due to be held on Saturday.

“Our economy is going from strength to strength and not failing, as some parties with vested interests, wish to make up and like it to be.

We are in receipt of aid from the international community such as China, Iran, EU, US and others as envisaged. All of them are contributing towards our development and prosperity,” the President said.

He pointed out that despite the bloody war with the LTTE and the series of victories achieved, his Government had never ever abandoned or sacrificed the country’s development.

“We have not sold any State enterprise or institution in the process,” he added.

Refuting all baseless allegations, President Rajapaksa assured that the fertiliser subsidy will never be lifted. He will not leave room for the paddy prices to drop and jeopardise the livelihood and profits of the farmer.

His Government has already taken steps to confront the fuel and food crisis successfully. Mega development projects in the spheres of power and energy, roads, irrigation schemes among others, have been launched successfully and more are in the pipeline.

An industrial park will be established shortly in Embilipitiya. “All this has been achieved within a short period of 31 months,” he noted.

The President was of the view that the country was now free and safe sans any form of fear psychosis as in the ‘89 era. Most of the so-called abductions were baseless and originated with ulterior motives to tarnish the good image of the Government, as clearly shown by further investigations.

President Rajapaksa said the media was not expected always to be the trumpet of the State. They were free to criticise the Government when and where necessary.

However, he urged the media to refrain from making unfounded and baseless allegations which may directly or indirectly influence and impact on the deliberations made by the Government in its effort to eradicate terrorism from our Motherland.

“The media too has a paramount role to play in the dissemination of news. They should act with extreme caution, as not to discourage or dissuade our gallant soldiers in their fight against terrorism. They should inspire them instead,” he said.

President Rajapaksa urged the Sabaragamuwa polity to refrain form casting all three preferential votes to one candidate. “Cast your preferential vote to three persons,” he said. Ministers Chamal Rajapaksa, Mahinda Ratnatilleke, Champika Ranawaka, Susil Premajayantha, DEW Gunasekera, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Jayatissa Ranaweera and former Chief Minister of Sabaragamuwa Mahipala Herath PC, Minister Mohan Ellawala and Sanath Gunatilleke also addressed the victorious rally.