The President was speaking at the 63rd anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) held  at the Vincent Dias Stadium in Badulla, Tueaday (02) evening.   A large number of party representatives from all corners of the country were present at the anniversary celebrations held under the theme "Sri Lanka and Freedom" (Sri Lankawai, Nidahasai).

The President also said that when the UPFA government came into power in 2005,  the state sector has been weakened and the national economy was in a decline, the President said the present government has been able to boost the economic growth up to 8 percent.   Today, the unemployment rate has been reduced up to 4 percent with poverty level  at 6 percent. The inflation has decreased up to 4 percent.

President Rajapaksa further added that the UPFA has gained a massive strength from the general public right throughout and the crowds attending the UPFA rallies bear testimony to UPFA's victory  at the forthcoming Uva Provincial Council Elections. (KH)