REFUGEE

Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged the opposition presidential candidate, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Sarath Fonseka not to betray the humanitarian operation and the heroic security force members who contributed to it to fulfill narrow political objectives.

Addressing a gathering of representatives from 64 trade unions of the country at the Temple Trees today, the President said he on behalf of truth and justice will not allow any room to tarnish the image of the war heroes or the country from attempts to mislead the public.

The President pointed out to the union members that his government took measures to maintain the state sector stable by increasing the state employees up to 1.2 million.

The government's proper management programme helped to protect both state and private sector jobs despite the global crisis in economy, President Rajapaksa pointed out.

The President urged all citizens of the country to join hands with his government to build a developed nation.