No leaders stepped up to save country during crisis – Education Minister

Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha said on Saturday that no aspiring leaders for the Presidency or Premiership stepped up to lead the country during times of crisis and when the people were in distress.

He said that individuals who claim to be debt-free and unafraid of anyone today, have actually fled the country during times of crisis.

The Minister was addressing a rally organised by the SLFP led New Alliance at Wills Park in Badulla on Saturday (13).

“The entire country knows where the actual SLFP is today. People are gathering around SLFP stalwarts Nimal Siripala De Silva, Mahinda Amaraweera, Chamara Sampath , Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Duminda Dissanayake”, he said.

The Minister said that the SLFP led New Alliance is campaigning for a leader whose victory at the forthcoming Presidential Election is a foregone conclusion.

A section of the crowd.

“Two years ago, some politicians were afraid to drive past filling stations due to the long lines of people waiting for fuel. Now, they claim they have no debt to the country and they are not in fear,” he said.

Premajayantha added that thousands of people gathered at the rally held in Ambalanthota last month and the people’s participation in the Badulla rally is unprecedented.

He said that there are 11,000 graduates in the plantation sector and a programme will be implemented for them soon. “We are ready to provide to free uniform to schoolchildren next year and over 1.7 million schoolchildren benefit by the midday meal programme of the Government”.

He said that the Government succeeded in increasing the wages of plantation workers.

“The New Alliance rises above all forms of differences. We are devoid of racial, religious differences. Certain individuals have accused us of lacking a programme and organisational structure”, he said.

Minister Premajayantha stated that certain parties are actively seeking out wealthy individuals to run for President. He also expressed concern that dedicated party members are not being given the chance to compete in the upcoming Presidential Election. Premajayantha emphasised the importance of political experience for anyone aspiring to lead a Government.

SLFP Chairman and Ports, Shipping and Aviaton Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said the SLFP lead New Alliance will open the way for victory in the country.

“No matter how hard the politicians try, we cannot work without the public support. We respect the people who gathered here to give us strength”, he said.

The rally was organised by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva and State Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake.

He said that they have the responsibility of strengthening the SLFP “People have fed up with party politics. There is a need to build a formidable political system. Those who are ready to support such an endevour are with the New Alliance, he said.

“Many parties are joining this force now. The SLFP became victorious whenever the party formed broader alliances”, he said.

The Minister said that the New Alliance is determined to solve the issues faced by the people. “The people in the Uva Wellassa give their support to this endeavour wholeheartedly”, he said.

Minister Silva said that the New Alliance will take the right decision for the benefit of the country after considering the geo-political situation and the political situation at grass root level.

“We got together to make UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe the President by shedding political difference for the country. We never pull his leg. Ranil gave protection to those who were in fear during the Aragalaya time”, he said.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party Senior Vice President, Agriculture and Plantation Industry Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the next rally of the New Alliance will be held to present our Presidential candidate to the public.

Parliamentarian Duminda Dissanayake said there have been occasions when the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has fallen in the past. “But every time we fell, our party stood up again”, he said.

Dissanayake said that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is not a party that can be dragged into the pit.” Many people tried to destroy this party. But couldn’t. In the next Presidential Election, we express our support for the Presidential candidacy of the new alliance led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party”, he said.

Minister Nalin Fernando State Ministers Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Jagath Pushpakumara, Parliamentarians Nimal Lanza, Duminda Dissanayake, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa were present.a

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