UNP in its desperation of the defeat at the forthcoming Presidential polls are now attempting to tarnish the exemplary nature of UPFA Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse. He isn't a racist, nor religious fundamentalist and his mission and vision would be to treat communities of all faiths alike, said UPFA Presidential campaign media spokesman and Ports and Aviation Minister and Education Deputy Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

He made these comments addressing a Presidential election propaganda rally in support of candidature of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse held at Polhena recently.

UPFA election proposals will not change from time to time. They will be changed according to wishes and aspirations of the people in the island. The common Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse presently has the backing of 25 progressive political parties.

More UNP supporters who have been fed up and disgusted with outdated economic policies of the party are continuing to join hands with the UPFA to support Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse at this Presidential poll.

In the UNP Presidential election manifesto 43 units presently existing in the Sri Lanka Army would be minimised to six platoons. They have no consideration nor care on the security of the island, he told.

UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe is making fairy pledges and try to create a dreamy world. The people cannot be deceived or misled by these empty utterances of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The secret plan of the UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe would be to win the Presidential poll even with the backing of the LTTE, Minister Samaraweera added.

Southern Provincial Council Member Lakmal Nilantha speaking at the meeting said that a rapid development programme has presently been launched in the Matara town. The hard endeavour of Minister Mangala Samaraweera would be to make Matara the most beautiful city in the South.

The present UPFA administration is doing everything possible for the development in education in the country. An allocation of Rs. 40 m has been made for the improvement of schools in the district of Matara.

A massive road rehabilitation and reconstruction project has also been under way in the south under the 'Maga Naguma' of People's Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, SPC member Lakmal Nilantha said.

Therefore supporters of all progressive political parties and even UNP supporters are rallying round the Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to make him victorious at the polls, he told.