The victory of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at the Central and North Western Provincial Council Election is a triumph of all those who love the Motherland, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a statement issued yesterday on the outcome of the polls.

“This is an election in which the victor is the nation. It is a defeat suffered by internal and external forces that tried to devalue the victories achieved by the war heroes. The support and encouragement this victory gives our war heroes who are fighting the final battle to liberate the country from cruel terrorism is tremendous,” the statement added.

Full statement by the President

“I extend my gratitude to the people of the Wayamba and Central Provinces who place their trust in my Government and me. I appeal to all citizens to enjoy this electoral victory peacefully.

“This election has once again endorsed the Mahinda Chintana Program and the policies of the Government and I derive humble satisfaction from it.

This election victory confirms that the people have acted wisely to defeat the attempts made by saboteurs to spread wrong opinions on the Government amongst them. It also demonstrates clearly that the people endorse the program of the Government to totally eradicate terrorism and win democratic rights of a fraternal section of our own people.

“I and my Government value the country and its people above everything else. This popular mandate has given us strength and courage to carry forward more dynamically and vigourously our march towards a lively renaissance of the lives of the people while preserving the country.

“I appeal to all progressive forces to unite with us in our advance to build a new Sri Lanka without differences in colour or political orientation.

“I take this opportunity to thank all public servants including the Commissioner General of Elections, the Security Forces and all others who laboured to hold a peaceful and fair election.”