Mahinda waxes eloquent on alliance unity at 5th SLPP anniversary

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna must ensure that unity amongst its allies is protected, as they fought for the same cause.

Speaking at the SLPPs fifth National Convention in Colombo on Tuesday (2), Rajapaksa said the SLPP always advocated peace, a quality that it inherited from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, adding that the size of a party does not matter, and what matters is the objective.

"These parties were with us when the times were tough and they moved with us. They are not the crutches of the SLPP. Therefore, all parties must unite, and making that happen is our responsibility," Rajapaksa told the convention.

Further, Rajapaksa recalled the sacrifices made by those who contributed towards the SLPP's historic success and honored them in his comments to the convention.

"Even when are charged, we never took steps to organize rallies to panic the public and we never wanted to keep the people in darkness," he added in response to the present protests and trade union actions.