In the journey of fulfilling aims of Mahinda Chintana, the single aim should be the development of the country, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the newly elected UPFA Parliamentarians yesterday (18 April).

“The people have carried out their duty to the country. Now it is time to repay them,” the President said.

The President made these statements at a special workshop held for newly elected parliamentarians of the UPFA, at the Presidential Secretariat.

The workshop was organized to educate new MPs on Parliamentary traditions, standing orders and other functions.

President Rajapaksa stressed the need for dedicated service of MPs to achieve development aspirations of the people.

The President also recalled the advice given to him by Ven Kotapola Vachishsara when he first entered Parliament as a young MP. The Ven Thera’s advice was not to misbehave but to conduct in a manner that would preserve self-respect and dignity. President Rajapaksa said he would give the same advice to newly elected MPs.

No MP has a right to breach the trust placed in him by the people of this country, the President said and called upon them to follow the guidance of senior Ministers and MPs in rallying to serve the country of their birth.