"The people should inculcate the high ideal of patriotism to save the country from an international and local conspiracy and extend the fullest support to President Rajapaksa by re-electing him to preserve the unitary state of the country, which was won after thirty years of war.

"When the country was invaded by foreigners, people united to preserve national intergrity even by sacrificing their lives."

This was stated by Minister of Tourism Nandana Goonetilleke in the key-note address at a seminar held at Vijaya Kumaratunga Commemorative Hall in support of Mahinda Rajapaksa in the forthcoming presidential election.

Ven. Nelumdande Wimalasara Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya temple, Wadduwa delivered an Anusasana.

Addressing the gathering he said, the LTTE agitated for the division of the country but it was not a success as President Mahinda Rajapaksa came into power.

"Even now there is an international conspiracy to topple the government with local support but patriotic people should vote against the conspiracy and defeat them.

"The leader of the UNP has no power to win the presidential election and has decided to field a common candidate to come to power but the people are not ready to defeat the present president and he has won the confidence of masses," he said.