COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that those who insult him have not been able to do an iota of the service he had performed to the country during his lifetime.

The comments were made after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was bestowed with the honorary title of “Sri Lankadheeshwara Padma Vibhushana” by the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha invoking the blessings of the Maha Sangha.

The Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha conferred this honorary title on President during a special religious ceremony organized at the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya , on Sunday (02) symbolizing the need of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s leadership for the motherland as well as considering the unblemished past and present deeds of the President.

“On the day I was sworn-in as the country’s President at the Ruwanweli Seya, I declared that I was a President elected by the majority of Sinhalese,” said Rajapaksa adding that he firmly believes that the protection of Sinhala Buddhists, who have made so many sacrifices to elect him as the first citizen of this country and that heritage is his foremost responsibility.

“I must specially mention that I am constantly committed to this cause and that the Buddhist teachings and inspiration I have received supported me to create an environment where other fellow citizens of this country can live freely without any fear or suspicion” he added.

“We were able to successfully control the pandemic that engulfed the world for two years. However, even if some people insulted me because of the economic and social hardships the pandemic has caused to the people of this country, I have the strength to endure such insults with equanimity,” he noted.

The President went on to says that “Also, those who insult me have not been able to do an iota of the service I have performed to the country in my lifetime.”

“I am ready to embark on a new journey by overcoming the obstacles we have encountered so far, and to fulfill the aspirations of the people who elected me as President of this country. I responsibly declare before this Most Venerable Sangha community that I am ready to take any tough or bold decisions that need to be taken in this regard,” he stressed.

• Sri Lanka’s economic recovery remains challenging – IMF
• Sri Lanka will be a fully developed country by 2048; economic growth will be based on four pillars – President
• Sri Lanka’s President announces national transformation roadmap
• Sri Lanka to settle Bangladesh loan by August/ September
• NO fuel shortage, says Minister; CPC to take action against dealers who failed to maintain stocks