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Having attended this years SLFP party
conference in Colombo the members of the
SLFP UK branch held a special meeting in
support of HE President Mahinda
Rajapakshe’s current presidential
election campaign at Lihiniya
Restaurant, London on 20 December 2009
with an impressive turnout. The
meeting’s aim was three-fold: to
encourage all UK ex-pats to support
President Rajapakse’s campaign; to give
direction on how to spread the word in
the community; and to encourage support
from relatives in Sri Lanka.
Among the members present, the meeting
was chaired by the President Mrs Rani
Bulathwela, Vice President Mr Sisira
Perera, Assistant Secretary Mr Palitha
Wijeratne and Treasurer Mr Methsiri
Wijeratna and were joined by other
honourable guests. The general
Secretary, Mr Anura Madagedera, and
Aruna Tiskumara were not present as they
both are currently in Sri Lanka
assisting in the presidential campaign.
The meeting was compared by Mr Chanaka
Dissanayaka.
Mr Sisira Perera, who opened the meeting
with his speech, pointed to the
importance of unity in support of HE
President Rajapakse’s campaign, giving
credit to his precise decision-making
and commitment in ending 30 years of
terrorism regardless of the lack of
western support for the government.
SLFP Central Council Member, Mr Kirthi
Sumanasiri, spoke of his support to HE
President Rajapaksa, particularly
commenting on his determination during
the war and his development of the
country’s economy, the eastern and
northern provinces, and infrastructure
of the last 3 years. He mentioned and
predicted that the Hambanthota harbour
“will be one of the best and busiest
harbours in South Asia”. Mr Sumanasiri
attributed the president’s successful
leadership to his ability to work with
everyone during his term in office.
President of the DA Rajapakshe
Foundation in UK, Mrs Nanda Karunanayaka,
invited everyone to support the
president in rebuilding the country. She
also reminded us of the Rajapakshe
dynasty, and the 40 years of his
positive influence in Sri Lanka’s
political history.
President of the SLFP UK branch, Mrs
Rani Bulathwela who chaired the meeting
made the concluding speech. She praised
the president’s long-term dedication and
sensitive leadership of the country that
has made him an excellent leader. She
highlighted that under the president’s
leadership Sri Lanka has become an icon
of the western world defeating terrorism
and showing just how strong Sri Lankans
are when they are united. It is her firm
belief that HE President Rajapaksa is
the best candidate to run the country
because of his determination to rebuild
Sri Lanka. She wished President
Rajapaksa success at the upcoming
election and thanked everyone who
attended. |
