Ranil: We have offered you a basket of flowers; Mahinda a pot of rogues

While the UNFGG has offered you a colourful, fragrant basket of flowers for the elections, Mahinda Rajapaksa has introduced a pot full of rogues, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at an election rally in Bandarawela.

“People would correctly choose the basket of flowers instead the pot of rogues on August 17th, by marking a cross against the elephant symbol and get the basket of flowers into their hands and smash the pot of rogues,” he said.

UNFGG election rallies were held in Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Passara, Bibile, Medagama and Haputale under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said, “President Maithripala Sirisena had declared that Mahinda Rajapaksa would be defeated at this election. Now those who voted for the SLFP are facing a dilemma, they feel that they would not have a good future and their children may not get employment, as they are noted in the villages. They fear that they might not get the support of the government. They may think of not casting their votes and prefer to remain indoors. I specially request them to go to the polling booth on that day and cast their vote for the UNFGG. I assure them that their future would be safe in my hands irrespective of what party they belonged to.”

Speaking on the proposed setting up of export villages, he said, flowers, fruits and vegetables had been identified as export items, and he would assist in the cultivation of them and provide refrigeration facilities to preserve their freshness.

He said these would be exported to Japan, Singapore Dubai and various European markets via Mattala Airport. He assured them that competitive markets would be found by him so that farmers would get bigger incomes by means of these projects.

“Estate employees don’t own their lands. I will take steps to provide them with lands and houses, and those who had been residing on lands on permits and Swaranabhoomi and Jayabhoomi titles for over ten years, will be granted freehold titles with the necessary laws being passed,” he said.