Addressing a UPFA election rally in Nawalapitiya yesterday, the President said the JVP and the UNP emphatically criticized the Brothers’ Company of Sirisena earlier revealing misconduct.

It is strange that they never utter a single world about that Brothers’ Company now. They have now changed the tune and are harping on the Rajapaksa Brothers’ Company,” the President said.

The rally was organised under the theme Surakshitha Hetak in support of UPFA candidate President Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting the forthcoming presidential polls.

President Rajapaksa said it was against his policy to sling mud at anyone. He said only one of his three brothers was introduced to politics by him.

He is Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. The other two brothers were introduced to politics by late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. I invited only Gotabhaya Rajapaksa because I wanted an energetic, capable and trustworthy person to liberate the country. Everyone is aware that he discharged the duty assigned by me. Due to his support and dedication, the country was united within four years.

Now he is assigned to carry out the duties of urban development including beautifying the Colombo city,” the President said. President Rajapaksa said that every minister is given the freedom to perform his duty.

Accordingly, the minister of the respective ministry is responsible for the smooth functioning of that particular ministry. The government allocates millions of funds each year for these ministries. Similarly, the government allocates a greater amount of funds each year for the health sector. But a great part of those allocations were returned as they were not properly utilised,” he said.

Now the former Health Minister says that he was not allowed to carry out his duties properly. This is what is called natanda beri minihata polowath edhai kiyuwalu. You asked me nothing more than to liberate the country from terrorism in 2005. At the time two thirds of the coastal belt was controlled by the LTTE. Utmost priority was given to liberate and unite the country. As a result of the clear and visionary leadership of the government, the country was liberated within four years defeating three decades long terrorism,” the President said.

President Rajapaksa said he was able to unite the country by eradicating terrorism even though many former rulers failed to do so. As a result of liberating you from terrorism, you all are living peacefully and happily in a brotherly manner. After liberating the country, attention was focused on developing the country in 2010. Under these measures, the entire country has been placed on a rapid development track after 2009,” he said.

The President added that 169 Muslims were massacred in Kattankudi by the LTTE.

The Muslims in the North and East were given only 24 hours to evacuate. They were chased away denying them their human rights. But people who talk so much about human rights, were silent when Muslims were killed and chased away from the North and East by the LTTE,” he said.

President Rajapaksa said moves are underway to create a better future for the next generation.

We must create an educated and intelligent generation capable of conquering the world.”

The President said 150,000 employment opportunities would be provided for youths by next year.