The Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse has joined his brother in accusing foreign conspiracies for bringing the country into disrepute.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a building, he also claimed that all Sri Lankans are now living in harmony.

“This is the country of our birth. So, the responsibility of protecting peace and harmony lies in our hands,

“Sri Lanka is making giant strides in all spheres. All Sri Lankans are living in harmony and working for the country’s benefit. We can strengthen national unity by learning all three languages,

“The country enjoys the dividends of peace which is a blessing for all Sri Lankans. So, we should protect this freedom in the future too,

“Some sections of society with vested interests have joined forces to spread false allegations and bring the government and country into disrepute. These organizations rely on foreign elements and funds to fund their conspiracies against the country,

”We will never allow these forces to destroy this country as we have inherited a right to protect this country for future generations”,

The president also hailed Sri Lanka’s economic model, saying that privatisation of state properties will not occur again.

“Sri Lanka is now self - sufficient in rice, while the surplus is being exported,

“Sri Lanka takes loans to develop the country. We have never sold state property or resources to receive money as had been the policy of former governments,

“We have passed that era and entered a new one where development is achieved not by selling state properties but by receiving loans,”