Despite setbacks suffered, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) today stands as a strong political party, giving leadership to the progressive forces of this country for the past half a century, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse , who is also the Senior Vice President of the SLFP said.

Mr. Rajapakse's family has had close ties with the SLFP since its inception. His father was the first person to follow late Prime Minister and founder of the SLFP S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike when he crossed over to the Opposition in 1951.

Mahinda Rajapakse said, "I am proud to announce that SLFP had always taken the lead in preserving the country's national identity, its culture, rural upbringing and ethics unique to Sri Lanka."

"The SLFP always had a very broad vision and was always able to become flexible to the needs of the country with the passage of time."

"The SLFP was never a racist party. Though there were some people who made attempts to brand SLFP as a racist party, their attempts failed as the party's rank and file always consisted of persons representing all communities in the country," the Opposition Leader asserted.

The SLFP always had an indigenous identity which helps the party to largely appeal to the rural votes in every successive election which helped to record landslide victories in rural areas, said Mr. Rajapakse who entered Parliament three decades ago - in 1970 as the youngest in that Parliament.

“Sometimes there were disagreements or even disputes, but we were able to settle such issues amicably though some left the party. Those who went away from the party finally ended as unsuccessful people in their political career. However, despite severe political turbulences, the party survived and marched forward,”

The Opposition Leader recalled how his father the late D. A. Rajapakse crossed over the aisle of Parliament Chamber together with several other members and formed the SLFP. "Then the 1956 general election came”. The party gave leadership to Leftist and progressive forces and recorded a landslide victory in that election. After coming to power, the then SLFP led Government took many steps to ensure the well-being of the working class of this country."

"This historic 1956 victory considered as a bloodless revolution by the ballot, made immense impact on the socio-economic, cultural, political and many other spheres. The radical changes introduced and their influences are still visible in the country. It was an era which will be inscribed in gold in the country's history."

"Then comes the regime of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike who took the reigns of the party after the assassination of Mr. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike in 1959. Mrs. Bandaranaike together with eminent persons such as Maithriepala Senanayake, T. B. Ilangaratne, Badiudin Mahamud gave leadership to the country displaying excellent state craft. Her leadership also nourished the party to a greater extent."

Opposition Leader noted that the Government led by Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike marked another golden era of the country. "Fresh air was given into the local industries educating the people on the importance of utilizing our own resources for our requirements."

This was followed by many progressive policies being taken. "At that time, the whole world was experiencing a socialist trend and the strength of socialist block was at a peak during that time in the 1960s."

In line with the world trend, the SLFP led Government took bold steps to implement a nationalization program which greatly helped to develop the country in terms of socio-economic development. Amongst those were nationalization of oil companies and other progressive measures.

During her second term also many progressive policies were introduced.

However, the SLFP was in the opposition for 17 years after being defeated in 1977. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse was very critical about the role the party played during this period. "We did not contest several elections such as District Development Council and Provincial Councils. Today, I see it as a bad decision as the failure to contest caused us a setback."

"The SLFP also played a vital role in defeating the UNP in 1994. Various public protest campaign such as ‘Pada Yatra’, ‘Minis Damwal’ and ‘Mavu Peramuna’ were organized under the patronage of the SLFP against the then Government as it had crushed the people's rights brutally."

"Today, we have come to the third stage of the SLFP which is now led by our founder leader's daughter President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga."

"Speaking about the future of the party, the Minister said we must get together with other parties and march forward while solving the present crisis in the country." The SLFP never had a difficulty in joining hands with other parties.

“The SLFP is a party which belongs to the common man of this country. Therefore, it is their duty and responsibility to protect the SLFP”, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse said.