Some artistes have made statements condemning the victory over terrorism and the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. They are the same individuals who received a number of privileges from President Rajapaksa. We condemn the hypocrisy of these people, veteran artiste and music composer Rohana Weerasinghe said.

He said the National Organization of Sri Lanka Artistes is dedicated to confirm the victory of the President at the forthcoming Presidential election. He was addressing a press conference at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute recently. Weerasinghe added that the organisation is obliged to respond to media reports too as certain artistes have launched a campaign to condemn the organisation’s moves. “Following the eradication of terrorism, artistes now have a proper environment to be creative. Not only artistes, but everybody has the opportunity and freedom to indulge in their own business activities, education, fisheries, farming etc. The country is free from terrorism and a large number of tourists are arriving because of the international repute the country has earned,” he said.

Due to the eradication of terrorism, the entire country has changed in a positive way. The country is being developed economically. Therefore, we request misled artistes to pay their gratitude to the President in this regard, he said. “The President treats all artistes alike. Especially artistes such as Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, Parakrama Niriella and Somarathna Dissanayaka have received many privileges from the President. Unfortunately, they do not show respect and gratitude,” Weerasinghe said.

Prof. Carlo Fonseka said: “Now the country has stability, capitalism, development and peace. President Rajapaksa in May 2009 achieved a crucial victory over terrorism. Since then vast development programs have been implemented.” Veteran Singer Neela Wickramasinghe said: “We have to think which leader will not divide our country. The leader who ensured freedom to citizens is President Rajapaksa.” During the 30 years, everybody lived in fear. The public did not wish for any other thing such as jobs or welfare. Their priority was about ending the war. The people saw the vast destruction which happened in the country, she said.

During the periods of J.R., Premadasa and Chandrika, nothing was done to solve the terrorist problem. What Chandrika did during her period was an entire waste of time. Such leaders were not strong enough to eradicate a war. However, we received real freedom on May 18, 2009 under the leadership of President Rajapaksa, Wickramasinghe said. “Now we live in a free environment. The President provided us with confidence and leadership. There is no good leader like President Rajapaksa. Maithripala Sirisena is just a bait to fulfill the other people’s requirements,” she added. Madumadawa Aravinda, Sanjaya Leelarathna and Oshadee Hewa Madduma also spoke.