"We will change the political culture of the country" : Gotabaya Rajapakse

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Sri Lanka Freedom party signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The MoU was signed at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort. Party seniors of the Sri Lanka Freedom party including acting chairman of the SLFP Professor Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa attended the event. General Secretary of the SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekera signed the MoU on behalf of the party. Speaking at the event, the General Secretary of the SLFP, Mahinda Amaraweera says;

"We know that Gotabaya Rajapaksa will receive the 5 million votes that were secured at the previous election. We would like to tell you that the SLFP is assisting the alliance by adding 1.7 million votes to the 5 million votes of the Podujana Peramuna. I can assure you of that. We are not campaigning for our preferential votes at this election. We can take care of that later. We have a program to protect the identity of our party. But we have prioritized working for your victory right now."

Also speaking at the event, the General Secretary of the SLFP, Dayasiri Jayasekara said that;

"Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not contesting the election as a politician from a political party. He is contesting as per the request of the general public and as a result of a movement of the general public. The people of this country are disgusted about politics in the country after 70 years. This is a time when we are looking for strong leaders to take the country forward. That is what you will have to do. I would like to tell you that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party today has taken the right decision and is in the right place because of this reason. The SLFP can be protected by the decision taken by the party. This memorandum of understanding includes all the features of the program initiated by the leader of our party President Maithripala Sirisena for the last 5 years, the program to establish democracy, rid the country of corruption, and drugs and also to eradicate underworld gangs, and protect the environment. This was the fight that the president carried out alone and all traits of this are included in this MoU. Let's join hands and work according to this agreement. When working with you as the Sri Lanka Freedom party we do not want to push anyone away from our party."

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the SLPP Presidential candidate speaking to all those gathered said;

"First I would like to extend my gratitude to Hon. President Maithripala Sirisena who provided the opportunity for this. I am thankful for the faith that you have placed in me. I would like to state that I will work in a manner that does not betray that faith during the run-up to the election and even after we establish a government. We have agreed to the policies of ensuring the safety and development of the country, improving the economy of the country and serving the people of the country. We do not have to fear anyone. There is no reason to question the identity of the SLFP because of the relationship that the party has with me. I invite all SLFP supporters who had taken a different decision to change their minds and join hands with me. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is not a new place for me. Our parties have agreed with the policies of each other.  We have to do a lot when it comes to education. We can't abandon our youth. We should go in the direction of a knowledge-based economy. Sri Lanka Freedom Party was trusted by the people. We have to have faith in our workforce. We promise the people that we will give them a safe country. We will change the political culture in this country. We should eradicate corruption and do politics based on policies and not personal gains. We will give the required leadership to change the political culture in this country."