Having discipline is not military rule: Gota

By Lahiru Pothmulla   

SLPP nominee for presidential candidacy Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said there was a clear difference between ‘discipline’ and ‘military rule’ and what they want to promote is discipline.   

Addressing a Samurdhi Trade Unions Convention held in Colombo yesterday, Mr. Rajapaksa said when they speak of promoting discipline, some accused them of attempting to introduce a military rule.   

“When we speak of discipline, some say we are speaking about military rule. Don’t parents need to see their kids returning home without being addicted to drugs? Don’t they want their daughters to return home safely without being subjected to harassment? That’s the kind of security we want to create in the country,” he said.   

He said when there is a country with a secure environment, it was easier to develop the economy.   

“When the country is stable and has a secure environment, investors do come in and invest. Tourism is a great tool to end poverty. Tourists will also flow in if the security is ensured in the country. We have many ways to uplift the economy after ensuring the security. We will also have to create sound educational policies and to expand the tertiary education for the youth,”  he said.   

He said Samurdhi recipients face various issues, and that they could be overcome when the economy is upgraded. “I can assure you that we will solve these issues in a future government,” he said.   

SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLPP Chairman Professor G.L.Peiris and many others attended the event.