He urged the people to rally round him and the government to assist the ongoing progressive march of the country to prosperity.

The complex is the largest fair in the country constructed so far. The complex facilitates over 1,000 vendors at a time.

President Rajapaksa said there is no doubt that the patriotic people will elect him as the President again and therefore, he will be the President of the country, who can take the country forward. "The country, which underwent immense hardship for three decades owing to terrorism, is being developed for not only the present generation , but also for the future generation," he said.

"We all are duty bound to create a better future for both you and the future generation. We must all go hand in hand to reach this goal," the President said. President Rajapaksa said the people asked him nothing but to liberate the country from the clutches of terrorism in 2005 to live peacefully and happily without any fear of death. "I heeded their request and as promised, the country was freed and united within four years, letting everyone to live happily," the President further said.

The unemployment rate was high and the economy of the country was also bad. The government took immediate measures to strengthen the economy while bringing down the unemployment rate drastically, he said.

The government invested millions on development activities. Power plants such as Norochcholai and Ihala Kotmale, an international harbour and an airport and highways were constructed and many more development activities have been undertaken, the President said. He added that the Power and Energy Minister has been instructed to provide every household with electricity by the end of December.

He said all ministers are duty bound to take their ministries forward. "It is strange when the former Heath Minister says that an Act had been misplaced. Was that the only copy of that Act. As far as I know, separate copies of any Act are with the Secretary, Legal Officer and high rankers of that particular ministry," the President noted.

President Rajapaksa said the government allocates a minimum of Rs. 600 million for every electorate at every budget ,even though it allocated Rs. 1,000 million for the Polonnaruwa electorate.

"The government allocated Rs. 150 million only for Royal College, Polonnaruwa." Speaking on agriculture sector development initiatives, the President said the government facilitates farmers allocating millions of funds. "Farmers receive the fertiliser subsidy and guaranteed prices for many crops including agricultural assistance," he added. (PRIU)