I will stand firm by country’ – President tells Lankans in Britain

President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized that no force will be permitted to snatch away the country which had been liberated from terrirism.. The President said he is prepared to make any sacrifice on behalf of the future generations to transform Sri Lanka into a super country to be reckoned with in the international world. The President was addressing the Sri Lankans who staged a demonstration  pledging support to the motherland at Park Lane in London. The President is in London attending the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II, on an invitation extended by the Queen.

A press release issued by the President’s Media Division said members of the LTTE and their sympathisers in London carrying placards depicting false propaganda against Sri Lanka made a vain attempt to portray President Rajapaksa’s tour of London as an unsuccessful one as they did during his previous London visit.  In response to this protest, Sri Lankans domiciled in England staged a massive demonstration on the opposite direction expressing support and strength to the President.

The President met the Sri Lankans  and expressed his gratitude to the patriotic Sri Lankans in Britain who had braved the extreme cold London weather to come out to express solidarity with their motherland.

 The President who said their expression of solidarity gave him added courage and strength, added he would not allow any force to snatch away the motherland which has been liberated from brutal terrorism.

Members of the Sri Lankan group who expressed their surprise at President Rajapaksa’s bold move to come out of the hotel and greet them, said his action added strength to the campaign launched by them in support of their motherland.

 The LTTE sympathisers who became helpless in the face of the massive turnout of Sri Lankans in support of the President, were seen meekly dispersing.