The problems of the country cannot be solved by agitations, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. He was speaking at the SLPP’s Anamaduwa Electoral Convention titled “Mera Balayata Erehi Jana Balaya” (People’s power against thuggery) held at Arachchikattuwa, Chilaw yesterday. It was organized by Water Supply State Minister and SLPP Puttalam District Organizer Sanath Nishantha.
“Despite the allegations by some, we have not deliberately done any harm to the country. We will not do so even in the future. Some make baseless accusations against us, but even they do not know their seriousness. The economic crisis that followed the COVID-19 pandemic has become a huge challenge for all of us even today. Some exploited this situation and provoked the public, but the same individuals shy away when responsibilities are given to them on behalf of the country,” the former President said.
He noted that mass agitations only take the country backwards. “It is easy to set the country on fire, but rebuilding it is difficult. You should pick the side of those who build the country, and not those who destroy it. Though we could not resolve all your problems at once, we are doing it gradually. However, no problem can be resolved by provoking the masses. Only those who do not fear challenges can solve these problems, and even today, the best group for that task is the SLPP,” Rajapaksa added.
He emphasized that the SLPP is ready for any election. “There had been things which went wrong because we had no control over them. There were other mistakes we could not correct because we respected democracy. However, you all should keep in mind that none of them are our defeats,” he remarked.
