The rally was held on a grand scale with a massive crowd attending the rally showcasing the strength and the unity of the UPFA.
Addressing the public rally the President said that the massive crowd present at the venue showcase his victory at the Presidential Election. He said that the opposition has already suffered defeat. The President further added that the people sought an end to the war in the year 2005 and the government fulfilled this pledge by defeating the war. Thereafter the Government started several development programmes throughout the country and the country has reached the peak after a short span of five years. Peace dividends are being reaped by everyone in the country, he added.
A special occurrence was the participation of the opposition leader of Thalawa Provincial Council Sanath Dissanayake, Mihintale Provincial Council’s opposition leader Lalith Edirisinghe together with a large number of UNP members pledging their fullest support to President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Election.
Prime Minister D.M.Jayarathne, Dinesh Gunawardena, Susil Premajayantha, Pavitra Wanniarachchi, Tissa Karaliyadda, S.M.Chandrasena, Wimal Weerawansa, Wayamba Chief Minister Dayasiri Wijesekera, former Deputy Leader of Democratic National Alliance Jayantha Ketagoda, former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake also addressed the public rally.
Senior Minister Dew Gunasekera, Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, T.B.Ekanayaka, Prof.G.L.Peiris, Felix Perera, Gamini Lokuge, Reginald Cooray, Salinda Dissanayake, North Central Province governor Karunarathne Divulgane, Chief Minister S.M.Ranjith, Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Deputy Ministers W.P.Ekanayake, Dullip Wijesekera, Parliamentarians Kamala Ranatunga, Shehan Semasinghe, Lohan Ratwatte, were among those present.(KH)