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Gota promises to preserve SLFP identity and policies
SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa speaking after signing an MoU with the SLFP at the Western Province Cultural Centre Auditorium (NADA) in Colombo 7, said he would never breach the trust of people who supported him.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressing a news conference on Tuesday. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Speaking after signing an MoU between the SLPP and the SLFP, Mr Rajapaksa said, “First I thank you for trusting me, I in turn would not breach that trust. The trust will be upheld not only during the campaign period but even after a government is formed”.
He explained that the parties are joined by a set of policies and added the policies were drawn up to ensure the safety and prosperity of the country via developing the economy, creating development programmes and serving the people of the country.
He explained that the SLFP at many times had joined hands with many political parties and during those times the identity and policies of those parties were respected.
As a result, he said none should fear the agreement between the SLPP and SLFP. The identity and policies of each partner would be preserved.
“Therefore I request all SLFPers to have no fear on this score and join hands with me”.
He said both parties were determined to protect the motherland by preserving its sovereignty, non-aligned policy and culture. The coalition will take forward the work of past SLFP leaders and governments by implementing the policies they had agreed on.
Mr Rajapaksa said that they should work together as partners to improve the economy, increase national security and to create a work-plan that would benefit the youth of the country.
“We should make great changes in the education sector by creating long-term and short-term plans, we will protect the youth by drawing up a national education policy,” he said.
Mr Rajapaksa said there was a need to protect the youth of the country. He pointed out that students who got through G.C.E ‘O’ level and ‘A’ level exams, but were unable to engage in higher studies, needed to be given opportunities to engage in higher education studies.
He said a future government under him would set up a progamme to provide facilities for all students with opportunities to receive higher education.
Mr Rajapaksa also said that under his economic plan he would help people who engaged in local industries. He added he would create conditions for investment and creation of job opportunities.
Candidate Gotabya his policies would be in step with global trends and would move towards a knowledge- based economy.