Gotabaya's promise to resolve the housing issues of the people

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Presidential Candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Gotabaya Rajapaksa attended three public rallies held around the country today (November 9). The Presidential Candidate of the SLPP first attended a rally in Nuwara Eliya held at the Open Air Theatre.  Leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Mahinda Rajapaksa also attended the rally. Speaking at the rally, Leader of the SLPP Mahinda Rajapaksa said:

"When observing the response of the crowd here with us, I'm sure we are going to win the votes from Nuwaraeliya.  We have the responsibility of protecting the women of the country, the working class, we are to pay special attention to the women of the country, starting from the estate worker to the woman who holds the highest position in the country, we will take responsibility to provide security and protect them." 

Addressing the people gathered at the rally, the Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said:

"When I was the Defence Secretary and when I was the secretary to the ministry of urban development, to resolve this housing issue we constructed a large number of houses. For the war heroes, we started the "Api Wenuwen Api" Project. We obtained funds and constructed Ranaviru Villages and in every district, I provided good houses for war heroes. And as a project headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa those living in shanties received apartments, we constructed 20,000 units where some were distributed by this present government, but they were constructed by me. We know the trouble that underprivileged, the youth, those of the middle class, those who are in government services go through to build their own houses. So we have discussed with apartment construction companies, to provide apartments on a long term monthly payment basis with low-interest rates." 

Another rally organized by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to ensure the victory of the Presidential Candidate of the SLPP Gotabaya Rajapaksa was held in Hettipola last evening (November 8). Speaking at the rally, the General Secretary of the SLFP, Dayasiri Jayasekara said:

"That day it was decided to not support the UNP but to rather support the left progressive anti-imperialist force. In that matter, I was stern when expressing my views. The reason I did so is to not make our supporters think that we betrayed the SLFP. But I would like to state, recently our beloved Chandrika Kumaratunge had blamed me, I will not panic because of that, Kumara Welgama had scolded me. I'm not disappointed. Madam if you need a new symbol for this party, the SLFP you are trying to protect, I suggest you choose the Pistol symbol of Somarama Thero. Because this is the program to destroy the SLFP. The attempt to assassinate our leader in 1959. I will not further stress about them. As a party, we took the proper decision. This morning too I contacted our honourable president and asked about the present situation, what should we do, and if the steps taken now are correct. So remember, President Maithripala is 100% rooting for the victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa."

Addressing the people, Gotabaya Rajapaksa says;

"When a memorandum of understanding with the SLFP was signed between us, we held discussions with the leader of the party and the President. At that moment we agreed on policies. When we presented our manifesto, that was a result of solutions put forward by experts, professionals, businessmen and entrepreneurs taking into consideration issues faced by the country for years, along with proposals presented by the SLFP, and ideas collected from the public through the "Gama Samaga Pilisadarak Program" all these solutions presented are practical. I promise you that all these solutions will be provided and resolved during my tenure."

Another rally to ensure the victory of Presidential Candidate of the SLPP Gotabaya Rajapaksa was held at the Wellawaya Bus Stand today. The rally was attended by a large number of supporters.