"The ability to hold elections no sooner terrorism was defeated and thus providing the opportunity for democratic expression to the people of Vavuniya and Jaffna, is also seen as a victory of our policies to stabilize democracy", said H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (Aug 9).

He made this comment in a communiqu‚ issued on the outstanding victory achieved by the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in the elections held yesterday(Aug 8) to the Uva Provincial Council and the Jaffna Municipal Council. "It is seen by me as a victory for all who love our motherland" President Rajapaksa further asserted.

Full text of the President's communiqu` released.

The outstanding victory achieved by the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in the elections held yesterday to the Uva Provincial Council and the Jaffna Municipal Council is seen by me as a victory for all who love our motherland.

In a situation where democratic expression had been denied for three decades by the forces of terror, the ability to hold elections no sooner terrorism was defeated and thus providing the opportunity for democratic expression to the people of Vavuniya and Jaffna, is also seen as a victory of our policies to stabilize democracy.

I am humble in expressing satisfaction at the repeated endorsement by my people of the policies of the Mahinda Chinthana through these electoral victories.

My government and I attach the highest importance to our country and its people. This renewed mandate by the people helps expedite and gives added strength and courage to our efforts to protect the country and bring a new awakening to the lives of our people.

I am especially grateful to the people of Uva who brought us the most outstanding result in the history of Provincial Council elections. Similarly, I express my gratitude to the people of Uva, Jaffna and Vavuniya for the positive and understanding response they have given to my call to stand as a nation with dignity, under a single standard.

To political parties and their members who have not yet come to this viewpoint, I make this another opportunity to invite them to stand together under a single flag of unity.

I also take this opportunity to thank the Commissioner General of Elections, his staff, all public servants, the security forces and all those who assisted in the conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections.

Mahinda Rajapaksa

August 09, 2009

Courtesy: defence.lk