President tells newly elected LG heads: Fulfil people’s aspirations

President Mahinda Rajapaksa while attributing the comprehensive victory of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at the concluded local authority election to team work and unity urged newly appointed LG heads to work in the same spirit to fulfill people’s aspirations and needs.

The LG heads of 22 local bodies won by the UPFA at the recently concluded final phase of local polls were sworn in at Temple Trees yesterday. The win gave the UPFA control over 80 percent of the local councils that went to polls in 2011. In all three stages, the UPFA won 271 councils out of 322.

The main Opposition UNP could only manage to win 10 councils.

Advising the newly elected UPFA heads on their responsibilities, the President told them to never misuse their powers. He told them to put people’s needs before personal interest and added that their behaviour should be highly disciplined and exemplary.

“Uppermost of all uphold the people’s trust,” the President said while pointing out that the people had kept their trust in the UPFA to govern the country during the last two decades.

He also told them that it was time to put a stop to personal feuds and work as a team to fulfill people’s expectations and needs.

“It was team work that brought such an overwhelming victory to the UPFA. We should work as a team in future and at all times,” the President said.

He also pointed out that when appointing LG heads the party and colour did not come into consideration and that most suitable were appointed. He told them to do their duty with 100 percent commitment.

On the subject of security, President Rajapaksa emphasized that not only ministers and politicians, but, he was responsible for the protection of every citizen in the country.

He said that authorities did not differentiate among people when providing security, but, had done so, based on the threat assessment of the particular individual who sought security.

President Rajapaksa noted that he was fully committed to uphold this responsibility of protecting all people. and stressed that when providing security he did not differentiate between an MP, politician or any other individual but had provided protection on request, depending on the relevant individual’s threat assessment.

He told the LG Heads that any lingering lawlessness would be eliminated systematically and added that the measures to bring to a complete halt the activities of the so called underworld was in progress.

He stressed that protecting people was of the highest priority and urged all to support and contribute to the efforts in ushering a safer and secure environment for all. UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha, UPFA allied party leaders, Cabinet ministers, MPs, other politicians, and party supporters were present.

 

Courtesy: Daily News