Speaking at the Polonnaruwa district convention of the SLFP this morning (17), the President said that he will not act according to private whims or views of anyone but will act as the leader of the country's public.

The President further said as follows :

No private deals

The people kept their trust on me. They wanted freedom and democracy to be established in the country. After fighting for 37 years, the people took up the maiden slogan of Sirimavo Bandaranaike to abolish executive presidency. I put an end to that woe.

I have no private dealings with anyone. I am not an SLFPer from birth. My parents were UNPers.

Other than pledging to solve the public's issues, I have no wish to pledge myself to solve private problems of anyone. Throughout the four months which elapsed since the victory on Jan. 08, I have shown a clear change in the country.

That is the truth. Be it acceptable or unacceptable we should clearly state the reality. Much more changes need to take place. Provisions granted to MPs should be used for the benefit of the public. A quality political culture should also take place in the country, he added.