Gota’s election manifesto to be launched today

The election manifesto of SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be launched at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo at 9.30 am today, MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.

He said the manifesto was drafted by about 500 professionals of 28 expert committees with the objective of creating a secured society for the future generation.

He also said the manifesto was not something hatched inside one room but included opinions of the people at a grassroots level.

We collected the opinions of the people and identified their necessities through our 'Gamata Pilisandarak' programme which was launched several months ago. Mr. Rajapaksa's manifesto is based on these ideas as well," he told a news briefing.

He said the Viyathmaga Organisation headed by Mr.Rajapaksa has already conducted researches and surveys to formulate an economic plan tailor-made for Sri Lanka.

“These facts, apart from the opinions and ideas of the member parties of the joint opposition, are also included in the manifesto. It gives prominence to creating employment opportunities, injecting latest technology to food production and providing better education opportunities for all," he said.

Meanwhile, MP Yapa said the country was facing many difficulties and is on the verge of becoming the 'Sick man of Asia'.

“One time, Italy was labelled as the Sick man of Europe. We are at the bottom in Asia today in terms of development. There is complete anarchy in the country and drug menace is intensifying," he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)