Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate MP Namal Rajapaksa emphasised that the military operations to end the nearly three-decade-long war in the country were aimed at combatting terrorists, not against the Tamil community.
Addressing a public gathering of the SLPP held in Dambulla on September 15 under the leadership of the party’s leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa pointed out that it was under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that terrorism was brought to an end in Sri Lanka.
He further asserted that the SLPP is not a group that has betrayed the country, but rather a political force that has always been committed to its love for the nation.
Namal Rajapaksa further stated, “The SLPP is a political force that has built this country, a group that has worked for the nation. If development has come to Dambulla and the entire country, it was during the administration of Mahinda Rajapaksa. We had a plan back then. President Mahinda Rajapaksa implemented the necessary steps to develop the road network of this country, connecting the North and South through expressways. We also had a vision to extend these expressways to reach the hill country of Kandy and bring the expressway to Dambulla. Unfortunately, after the Good Governance Government came to power, they lacked the understanding or the will to establish these expressways.”
He added, “Some politicians thought these expressways were only built for transporting sour fruits. Some politicians even questioned whether the highways were built to be carpeted or concreted to steal money. However, today I am pleased to see that their manifestos mention the benefits of the expressway system and the need for road development. I am glad to see this realism, but I regret their previous cynical attitude toward these development initiatives before 2015. We aimed to develop tourism centred around Dambulla and elevate it to the next stage as a rising economic hub in Sri Lanka.”
Rajapaksa continued, “On the other hand, as technology-driven industries grow in Dambulla, it will be necessary to create high-paying job opportunities for the children of Dambulla’s parents. We have a clear vision and plan. We firmly believe that the country should be integrated through the expressway system, and at the same time, the rural road network should also be developed. We stand by the position that every bit of land should be cultivated to ensure maximum yield and that the necessary technology should be provided to the next generation. We do not attempt to run a government that imports food for us to consume.”
“The SLPP is a political force trusted by farmers, labourers, and fishermen in this country,” he said. “We value our national identity and our culture. We live with an understanding of the realities of this land. While protecting our culture and safeguarding this motherland built on Buddhist traditions, we also believe in protecting other cultures. We act with a clear vision and plan to secure the future of your children. We understand the needs of our youth today and the requirements they will face tomorrow.
