Rajapakse manifesto released

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 10:52 GMT]
Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, presidential candidate of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) released his manifesto at an event held in the BMICH at an event held Tuesday morning in the Bandaranaike International Memorial Conference Hall (BMICH). The manifesto said that an ultimate solution to the ethnic crisis could only be reached through negotiations and not through war and that a settlement based on a unitary state is the basis to the ethnic crisis.

Sri Lanka's President and Leader of SLFP, Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge , her brother and the Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike, General secretary of the SLFP Maithripala Sirisena ,Chief Whip of the party Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake were not present at the ceremony when the Manifesto was released .

It was for the first time in the the SLFP's four decades of history that the party's Manifesto was released without the presence of its leader, political observers said.

Minister Mangala Samaraweera and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leaders along with Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party members were present at the ceremony.

"I am confident that we can achieve peace without returning to war. I intend to begin peace talks with all the stakeholders in the conflict to realize this goal I hope to build a national consensus in order to achieve an honorable peace for our motherland. I strongly believe upholding the civil and human rights of all communities, the nation's sovereignty, security and the unitary character of the state. I love my country above all and do not wish to jeopardize its territorial integrity," Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse said in a statement after releasing his manifesto titled "Mahinda Chinthana (Mahinda's thoughts)."

Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse delivered his presidential pledge in the presence of religious leaders and other leading political personalities.

"I, Mahinda Rajapakse, presidential candidate of the UPFA make this solemn pledge before members of the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic clergy who have gathered at BMICH, on this day the 18th of October 2005- the Buddhist Era 2548.

• I dedicate myself to achieve a national consensus to achieve peace with dignity through a negotiated political solution and ensure an undivided, sovereign country where all communities-Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay and Burgher-will accept Sri Lanka as their homeland and the motherland and will be free to practise their respective religions- Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam.
• I dedicate myself to provide necessary strength and guidance towards building a new country, protecting social justice, passing economic benefits to everyone, building a strong viable economic system to uplift people's lives and increase production where both the public and private sectors will play important role, incorporating the positive aspects of the market economy. I am dedicated to building a disciplined, friendly society and a just state, which will fulfill its responsibilities, safeguard fundamental rights, uphold the rule of law and protect the dignity of the citizens.
• I dedicate myself to mould a new Sri Lanka and introduce a policy that is required to create a prosperous peaceful country in which our future generations could live with pride, building friendly ties with the outside world, earn the respect of the international community and pursue a progressive foreign policy.
• I dedicate myself towards ensure peaceful presidential election campaign in accordance with the law and after assuming the high position I will work to ensure that supreme objectives cited above will receive due recognition.

I, Mahinda Rajapakse hereby accept the responsibility of the building the future of this country."

The surrounding area of the BMICH was heavily guarded by the security personel following the recovery of a deadly C-4 type explosive on Sunday in the North Colombo region ,Modera.