Addressing the people at the public meeting, the President said certain people who look at the country's development programmes with jealousy, hatred and animosity have begun a campaign to sling mud at the government. He urged the people to join hands with the government to carry out the development work without interruption without falling prey to these mud slinging campaigns.

Prime Minister D.M.Jayarathna, Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Vijith Vijithamuni de Zoysa, Tissa Attanayake, Wayamba Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera, Parliamentarians Dilum Amunugama, Lohan Ratwatte, Eric Weerawardena, Provincial Council Minister Anuradha Jayarathna were also present.

Thereafter, President Rajapaksa visited the Udunuwara, Gelioya area around 3.30pm and met the people of the area. A large crowd was present at this public meeting organized by Udunuwara SLFP Chief Organizer S.B.Dissanayake.

Addressing the people at this rally, the President said that all should join hands together to provide a well protected country for our future generation. We should commit ourselves to secure a place for our children in the fast developing global arena, he further added. (KH)