Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today reiterated that that the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has not divided into two factions. Only one faction exists and that is the anti-UNP faction, he said. 

The UPFA is not “a cauldron of porridge” like the UNP, he said, delivering a speech at the launch of the UPFA election manifesto at Henry Pedris Ground in Colombo. The UPFA election manifesto is titled “A Guarantee for the Future.”

Rajapaksa claimed that the incumbent government is unable to pay the wages of public sector employees in the coming month, due the large number of state employees. 

“I believe that the country has been turned back more than 25 years,” he said. 

The former President stated that if that was not the case and the people did not feel that way, he would not have to make a political comeback. 

He stated that they will remain patient when required, but they are also prepared to do battle and go to war for the country when it is required. 

He said that the United National Party’s policy regarding education and the youth is clearly evident through the Minister of Education appointed by them. Rajapaksa, who is contesting the parliamentary polls from Kurunegala District, stated that his party would sacrifice lives to protect the free education. 
 
Every youth above the age of 18 will be provided Rs 50,000 for education and the Mahapola scholarship will be increased to Rs 6,000 per student, he pledged.  

The former President stated that computer literacy in the country was increased from 3% to 45-50% during his reign. “But that computer knowledge was used on us on January 08 through Facebook,” he added.  

Rajapaksa claimed that false propaganda was quickly spread through social media in the run up to the Presidential Election, which he lost to Maithripala Sirisena, but said they believe there is no issue with that. 

We intend to provide Broadband facilities to every home and introduce an opportunity for the young generation to enter the online market, he assured. 

He stated that the UPFA, if elected as the government, would introduce a new constitution within 6 months and that they will also introduce new election systems.