Conferring blessings, strength and success on the President, Most Venerable Mahanayaka of Malwatte Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera said that Mahinda Rajapaksa should continue as the head of state for 25 years more to transform Sri Lanka into a prosperous country.

President Rajapaksa called on the prelate yesterday (23) after paying homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

The Mahanayake Thera said that the President was successful in his endeavours to liberate the country from LTTE terrorism because of his genuine commitment and the clear vision.

The prelate further said that not only Sri Lanka but the entire world had recognised President Rajapaksa as a unique head of a state due to his success in freeing the country from ruthless terrorists.

He said next responsibility of the President and his government is to launch development projects in the whole country including the North and East which were devastated by terrorism.

The President subsequently called on the prelate of Asgiriya.