The President was speaking at the 50th Commemoration of the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike becoming the first female Prime Minister in the world. The ceremony was held at Temple Trees with the participation of Sri Lanka Freedom Party members and leaders.

The President addressing the gathering said that Sirimavo Bandaranaike was a person who had led the country and the Party both in good and bad times with equal commitment and courage.While identifying the SLFP as the strongest political party in the country today the President said that this was due to the leadership given at the beginning by both the late S.W.R.D Bandaranaike and later Sirimavo Bandaranaike among others.

While identifying the late Premier as a fearless leader, the President said that her economic policy was based on giving pride of place to local industries and protecting and further developing State assets.

He noted that several prominent State institutions had come to be during her tenure such as State Banks, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation etc.

President Rajapaksa also fondly remembered that it was the late Premier who had backed him to get his first nominations to contest an election when the odds were against him.

He said that the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike had been a tower of strength to the Party and was a leader who had a thorough understanding of the Party cadre and was conscious to their needs.

He noted that even today her policies were a tower of strength to both the Party and the country.

He added that the Government was intent on restoring State assets the people lost and infrastructure which was destroyed in all parts including the North and East.