Dasun Edirisinghe reporting from Anuradhapura

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday alleged that the present Yahapalana government had destroyed within six months what his administration had achieved in four years.

The former President asked at the inaugural UPFA parliamentary election campaign rally what would have happened if the Maithripala Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration had continued for five years.

Addressing a massive rally the former President said that the unprecedented Central Bank bond scam had caused a massive loss to the national economy. He said that the country had so far suffered a loss amounting to Rs 60 billion.

Rajapaksa said that the conduct of the so-called Yahapalana administration reminded one of the UNP administration which came to power in 1977. He declared that he would sacrifice anything without any hesitation to safeguard the SLFP and the UPFA for the sake of the people.

At the outset of his first address after receiving nominations on July 13 to contest the Kurunegala District, the former President thanked all those who had been involved in a campaign to bring him back to active politics.

The former President said that the UPFA was launching its victorious campaign from Anuradhapura, a great city where ancient kings had defeated foreign invaders.

The former President said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had never declared his intention to wipe out Prabhakaran though he was repeatedly vowing to finish off the Rajapaksas.

An emotional Rajapaksa recalled how people had danced on the streets carrying the national flat on May 19, 2009 after the defeat of the LTTE.

The former President regretted those who had been saved from LTTE terror voted him out of office at the January 8 presidential election.

“I accepted the people’s verdict and left Temple Trees within 12 hours before the release of the final results. I moved to Medamulana, where people from all parts of the country, including Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa visited me. Women came carrying their children.”

“Those who could not stomach the emotional reaction of the people wanted to humiliate me by spreading blatant lies,” the former President said.

The former President reminded the people of the daunting challenge faced by him at the time he assumed presidency in November 2005. “Those living in areas vulnerable to sudden LTTE raids slept under trees. You can remember how bodies of soldiers killed in battle were brought to villagers, can’t you?”

The war-winning President said that it was he who had stopped rivers of blood. But those who had lacked courage to face the brutal enemy called him a canker. After having eradicated terrorism, the previous government had worked overtime to improve living conditions in areas affected by terrorism as well as other regions, he said, noting that its efforts had resulted in Colombo being named the fastest growing city in the world.

Comparing his achievements during the period immediately after the conclusion of the war in May 2009, the former President said that the 100-day project was nothing but a dismal failure. That had led to the ruination of what the previous government gained for the people, he said, adding that the UPFA would win on August 17.

Rajapaksa said that having finished off the LTTE the previous government had carried out an accelerated development programme. It had rid the former war zone of mines to make it safe for people.

A smiling Rajapaksa said that he had been accused of being a dictator and suppressing democracy, though he had conducted so many elections during his tenure.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was able to go around the country badmouthing him because terrorism had been defeated. “Else, he would have been confined to his home,” the former President said.

Rajapaksa said he had called the UNP leader Wickremesinghe to Temple Trees in the early hours of January 9, while results of the January 8 presidential poll were still being released. In spite of swift transfer of power within less than 12 hours after the conclusion of the poll, he had been accused of conspiring to retain power with the help of the army. “Where on earth coups are staged with the help of Attorney Generals and Chief Justices?” he asked.

Courtesy:The Island