Former People’s Representatives of the 116 Provincial Councils representing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and the United National Party have pledged to dedicate themselves to the victory of President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election.
They said this in a meeting held today (31) with the former representatives of provincial councils representing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and United National Party at Voter’s Edge Hotel in Bhattaramulla.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that he is contesting the presidential election to take the country forward in a new direction without bias and promised to advance the country by giving responsibilities to all under the central government, 09 provincial governments and 10 governments.
“The growing economy of the country should be protected and taken forward. An agreement with the International Monetary Fund cannot be violated. The President emphasized that it is everyone’s responsibility to work with dedication even if the election is held.
Also, the president said that the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniya is unsatisfactory and that the government will take necessary decisions to avoid any damage to Sri Lanka’s economy due to the conditions that may occur in the Middle East countries including Iran and other countries of the world.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe who further commented here,
Thank you to everyone who came here for me and supported me. We all lost our homes in July 2022. People also thought that this country has no future.
Many felt that the country could not be taken forward. Some asked me why you took charge of this government. I said that I had hope that this country could be saved. Some questioned whether the budding party had the experience to do so. Better to work with existing ones. Instead we don’t have time to train new ones. So I said let’s continue this journey. Now a good group has formed.
Ministers, Members of Parliament, Provincial Councils, Local Government Councils all came together to create stability in this country first. There was great fear in the country that day. What will happen to the country if MPs are killed on the streets? We have passed through such a situation.
We have now taken steps to bring the country back to normalcy and free it from the chaos. So the work is not finished. We must act according to the agreement of the International Monetary Fund. If we break it, the country will fall back into the abyss.
They give us financial assistance based on conditions. We also agree with that. You have to travel for that. We only have enough money till December. Another deal is due to be signed with the International Monetary Fund in January.
So the money will be available by January February. But it will take a long time to research this anew. After that it will take at least one year to complete these works. Without money we cannot progress. So, you have to decide whether to continue this project and get the money or not.
To solve the problems of youth in the country. They should be given jobs. Poverty should be eradicated and the country should be developed. For those activities I will give responsibilities to all under 09 Provincial Governments and 10 Central Governments.
I am contesting the presidential election to take it forward from a new angle. Let’s continue this journey. Let’s move forward together.
Majority of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna have decided to support me in 2022. Without that support the country would not have reached where it is today. So I thank former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for taking that decision. His decision saved the country. I don’t need to divide parties. As much as possible, parties must be protected and moved forward.
There are many problems in the world today. Hamas leader was killed in Tehran this morning. I condemn the attack. Even if a solution to the Gaza conflict is reached, such issues will re-intensify problems in the Middle East. We do not agree on that. We must always protect the right to live as a nation.
Due to that international problem many more problems have arisen. What will happen to oil prices if there is a war? If there is a problem, everyone in the Middle East will have to be brought back to Sri Lanka. Such was the case when Quaid was captured in 1991. Then there was a loss of income. As a developing country Sri Lanka will find it difficult to face that situation.
I informed the Foreign Minister to discuss this with the Foreign Ministers of other countries. We are discussing a joint program to control this situation. Our Speaker is currently in Tehran. We are taking steps to bring him back soon.
We must prepare now for these situations. A committee headed by the Prime Minister, Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Power and Energy, Minister of Industry and Foreign Employment has also been appointed for this purpose.
Also, a committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy and Ministry of External Affairs has been appointed to look into the possible economic consequences.
So, the government is preparing to face any situation. There is no point in shouting from the stage. We need to protect and advance the economy. International agreements cannot be withdrawn. It must be preserved and carried forward. Even if there is an election, it is our duty.
After the parliamentary elections, the provincial council elections will be held. We expect to hold that election as per the 1988 pattern. I spoke to Member of Parliament Sumanthran about this yesterday. He also agreed. The representation of women and youth should be increased in those elections. In addition, they will have the opportunity to contest for provincial councils without losing their position as members of parliament. Everyone should act as a government.
Along with nine members including the President and the Prime Minister, there is also a Council of Finance Ministers under the government. We are also going to propose a royal assembly. The President, Prime Minister, Party Leaders and Chief Ministers will be members of it. The Chief Ministers of 07 provinces are acting on the recommendations of the report submitted to the Constitution Amendment Committee in 2017.
Tamil parties have also agreed. We will talk about police powers later, we have announced that we will implement these measures now. The responsibilities of agriculture modernization, school education and tourism should be given to provincial councils. We have a large working group. We hope to progress the country through these 10 governments.” The President further said.
Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa,
I represented the Provincial Assembly for twenty years. Everyone knows our contribution. Our contribution is very important to strengthen the political mechanism in the upcoming presidential election. Today the provincial council system is far away from the people. Therefore, it is necessary to reform the provincial council system in this country.
I worked with the current president for a short time. At that time we had confidence in him. He stood strong for us at crucial moments in Parliament.
I worked together with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Hambantota District People’s Representative. But we have to think and act consciously for the welfare of the country. Therefore, everyone’s support is necessary to change the existing political culture and take the country forward,” he said.
Minister of State Shehan Semasinghe,
This stage has become an important stage in history. Today this place has a large number of people’s representatives including Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, United National Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party and independent groups.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe is the only person who has developed the country in such a way that no one expected at a time of crisis. He was able to stabilize the unstable government machinery. A country where everyone can live was created in two years. Will the country be disrupted again on September 21? Otherwise, a proper decision should be taken to create a stable country.
Ranil Wickramasinghe is the only leader who can take this country forward. In the upcoming presidential election, we will all unite and ensure Ranil Wickramasinghe’s victory for the country,” he said.
State Minister Janaka Vakumpura,
It was a situation where it was not possible to take to the streets even to hold an election. But Ranil Wickramasinghe accepted the challenge and did great service for the people of this country within two years. We were able to correct the mistake we made that day under the leadership of the current president.
He saved the country’s democracy and restored the country. Today we are able to go boldly to the people. Everyone should support his victory in the upcoming presidential election,” he said.
Member of Parliament Vajira Abeywardhana,
It is a historic occasion. Today, many powerful national powers of the country have joined this important occasion. In the past we could not make our leader the president of this country. But you all came together and appointed Ranil Wickramasinghe as the eighth Executive President.
You had faith in Ranil Wickramasinghe. He did not single-handedly strive to lead this country to the right path. He did it with all of your support.
People’s representatives of various political positions are present in this place. But we must travel together for the people. Formal politics is no longer valid. “There is no other option but Ranil Wickramasinghe,” he said.
Members of Parliament Mahindananda Aluthgamake, Anura Piyadarshana Yappa, Minister of State D. B. Herat, President’s Coordinating Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Ashu Marasinghe, former Chief Ministers, former Provincial Ministers, former Provincial Council representatives and many others participated in this meeting.
