Sri Lanka Freedom Party has created the strongest government in Asia, President says

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent party of Sri Lanka's ruling alliance, celebrated its 59th anniversary today with the participation of its leader, President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees
premises.Government Ministers, parliamentarians, party delegates from all parts of the island as well as representatives of allied parties attended the event. SLFP senior Vice President, Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne received President Rajapaksa when he arrived at the venue.
Speaking at the occasion, the President said the SLFP has created the strongest government in Asia successfully gaining 146 seats in the 225-member parliament and securing two-third majority.
President Rajapaksa said the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and his father D.A. Rajapaksa founded the Sri Lanka Freedom Party 59 years ago after leaving the UNP. Since its formation, the party had to encounter many difficulties to become a formidable power in Sri Lankan politics. Recalling that the SLFP had to face great challenges after its disastrous defeat in 1977, the President appreciated the continuous allegiance of leftist parties with the SLFP throughout its journey.
Commenting on the constitutional reforms President Rajapaksa said the government is ready to bring people's friendly constitutional amendment on September 8 to the parliament. He emphasized that main objective of the amendments is to expedite the ongoing development works and not prolonging his term of office. He requested the public to be vigilant about rumors spread by certain parties.
The General Secretary of the SLFP Minister Maithripala Sirisena told the gathering that the party has come along in a gallant and reputed path since it was founded and founders S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and current President's father D.A. Rajapaksa had taken the initiative to create the party after independence in 1948, when there was no suitable programme for development.
The SLFP has fulfilled the space of national politics in Sri Lanka and has always placed confidence on national identity and introduced a successful foreign policy that was able to safeguard domestic values, the Minister said.
President Rajapaksa felicitated senior members of the party at the occasion. Former SLFP parliamentarian Daya T. Pasqual received the Neela Udara Award from the President. President Rajapaksa was seen exchanging pleasantries with senior-most SLFP member including former minister Mrs. Shiva Obeysekara.
(Pictures by Sudath SIlva