Sri Lanka President instructs party activists to serve the public in villages

As the leader of the main constituent of the ruling alliance, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today instructed his party's activists to go to villages and serve the masses there instead of staying in the capital Colombo.

Addressing the All Island Committee of ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party at Temple Trees today, the President said that the responsibility of the party men is to work for fulfilling people's aspirations.
Stressing that he is committed to safeguard the party policies all the time, the President requested the SLFP parliamentarians to dedicate themselves to face the challenges on behalf of the people.
The President asked the party activists to save the confidence people and the party leadership placed in them and extend their fullest corporation to develop the country.
The Executive Committee and the All Island Working Committee of the SLFP honored the President for his 40 years of political service in the parliament. Vice chairman of the SLFP Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratna, senior Vice President Nimal Siripala de Silva, General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena and Treasurer Dullas Alahapperuma presented a special golden award to the President.
Ministers Basil Rajapaksa and Wimal Weerawansa and parliamentarian Sudarshani Fernandopulle received Golden awards from the President for obtaining highest number of preferential votes at the last general election.
Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, who received the highest percentage of preferential votes at district level at the last general elections, also received a golden award.
President Rajapaksa also felicitated Deputy Minister Gunarathne Weerakoon, who received the highest number of preferential votes in a single electorate (Karandeniya) at the last general elections.
Ninety-two SLFP organizers who obtained over 60 percent majority at the election were also felicitated. Thirty MPs of the ruling party that gained highest percentages and numbers of votes were also awarded at the function.
(Pictures by Sudath Silva)