Ready to restore his UNP membership
Ready to join forces with SJB to fight corruption
There is one condition, Sajith should reveal who gave him money to buy buses for schools
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday (14) that if Sajith Premadasa helps him save the country, he will restore his UNP membership.
Speaking at a public rally in Kandy, the President said that he has saved the country from the economic crisis and added as the Samagi Jana Balawegaya is now saying progress should be made in the fight against corruption, he is ready to join forces with SJB to fight against corruption.
But the President said that there is one condition and that Sajith should reveal who gave him the money to buy the buses he gives to the schools.
The President said this while addressing the second rally of the “Ekwa Jayagamu” (Victory through Unity) series of public rallies held to inform the public about the government’s programme of work.
This rally which was held in front of the Kandy Public Market Complex was organized by SLPP Kandy District MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage. UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and other UNP seniors, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, Housing and Urban Development Minister Prasanna Ranatunga also participated in this meeting.
Lewke Ratwatte is a founding member of the United National Party. Lohan did not have that opportunity. Today, Lohan and I are on the same stage, because we have the strength to save the country. We love our motherland and we also love our party, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said, speaking at a public rally in Kandy yesterday.
“Mr. Bandaranaike used to talk to us when we went to play with Anura Bandaranaike then. That’s how we grew up.
“What do we do when the country is in trouble? In 1963, Mrs. Bandaranaike went to India with Dudley Senanayake and signed the agreement during the negotiations that granted citizenship to the upcountry Tamil people. They thought about the country and made decisions.
“In 1971, J.R. Jayewardene as the Leader of the Opposition then told Mrs. Bandaranaike that he would support to defeat the rebellion. The United National Party has trained us that way to always think about the country first.
“JR has told us not to refuse power if asked to assume such responsibilities. If power is given and power is not taken, that man is not a UNPer. The country should be protected first.
“I took over this country at a difficult time. Since I had worked with JR and Ranasinghe Premadasa, I took over the country with confidence. The SLPP supported me. No matter how good my ideas are, I can’t work alone.
“I discussed with the IMF and gave advice to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa several times. Most of the SLPP members supported me.
“There is no need for me to protect the Rajapaksas. But I had protected Ranasinghe Premadasa. When the impeachment was brought, I was the first to come forward. I have not protected anyone else.
“I carry the legacy of D.S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake. John Kotelawala, J.R. Jayewardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa and D.B. Wijetunga and also the UNP.
“We invite everyone in the United National Party to come together to save our country.
“Now they say we need to fight against corruption. I am ready to fight corruption together with the SJB. But there is one condition. Tell me who paid for the school buses. If Sajith Premadasa helps me save the country, I will restore his UNP membership. We should all go together, on the same journey. There was no oil or food that day. Today it is all there.
“Because there is diesel, it is possible to take buses and give them to schools.
“We came together to save the country. We have come this far in two years because we worked together. Now we are slowly coming out of bankruptcy. But the journey is not over.
“The IMF, a number of countries that lend to us, as well as bondholders who lend to us have agreed to our terms. It is not possible to change those conditions now.
“Come with us if you agree with these terms. If we abandon this system, we will fall down again. We have to create an export economy instead of an import economy. Today, our GDP is $85 million and it should be made $350 million by 2028.
“The Sri Lanka Freedom Party agrees with this speed of the United National Party. Why is the SJB saying no to this speed? We have to go on that journey. The people of Kandy are always with me.
“We are going to build a Hilton hotel in Bogambara. We are building a Taj hotel in the old post office building. We have discussed them. The Kandy South depot will be removed and hotels will be built there as well. In this way, five hotels will be built.
“Japan is helping us to expand Kandy city to Kundasale. Kotmale is where we are going to build the Climate Change University.
“Through the Urumaya programme we are giving the land rights to the people. New villages are coming up in plantation areas. Also, the highway is being brought up to Katugastota with Japanese assistance.
“Let’s go on this journey together. This cannot be abandoned. Let us all move forward without letting the country fall.
“Like the SJB, we are also inviting the JVP to go on that journey together.”
This rally which was held in front of the Kandy Public Market Complex was organised by SLPP Kandy district MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
Ranil fearlessly took up challenge of restoring a collapsed economy
– Ramesh
Health and Industries Minister Ramesh Pathirana said our social development programme collapsed in 2022 and the Covid-19 pandemic was one of the reasons for it. Thereafter, the economy was dealt a severe blow. Tourism earnings dropped drastically causing us to lose US$ 7 to 8 billion in revenue.
“Ranil Wickremesinghe was the only leader who could face that challenge of getting us out of the economic crisis. He had tough decisions to make. So far, we have been able to strengthen the economy. I must say that this force of ours will be recognised by the people when they cast their votes for the next president of this country.”
Don’t play your old tricks, Kanchana tells JVP
– KANCHANA
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera warned the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to be careful when they play their old tactics with President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
“The JVP and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) initiated a wave of strikes aimed at disrupting the President’s programme. Their goal was to get people out on the streets and teach the President a lesson. Previously, when people took to the streets, it was due to genuine hardships they were facing. However, Ranil Wickremesinghe made difficult decisions to alleviate those hardships. The wave of strikes ended as soon as the termination letters were issued.
“We tell the JVP to live with that fear of Ranil Wickremesinghe. All political parties, including the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), are united in stating that we will move forward with Ranil for another five years. We are all united not as a party, but as a country.
“The entire SLPP, not just a faction, is rallying to support Ranil Wickremesinghe.”
Ranil Wickremesinghe is the right leader for this moment
– Manusha
Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara stated that many in Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s group now feel that Ranil Wickremesinghe is the right leader for this moment.
“A large number of skilled individuals are joining us, coming together for the sake of the nation’s aspirations. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which has been misleading the people to hold various strikes, has now acknowledged their failure. They have betrayed the strikers today and, in their attempt to create a struggle, have stumbled upon their own pitfalls.
“The people of Kandy are ready to give a sharp response to those who drive people to the wall through such struggles. Sajith’s MPs are currently in a state of fear and anxiety. Many in Sajith’s group now feel that Ranil Wickremesinghe is the right leader for this moment.”
We are for Ranil Wickremesinghe
– Dilum
State Minister for Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama said, earlier we used to address you (President Ranil Wickremesinghe) with Mahinda Rajapaksa in the chair.For the first time in history, we are on a stage with President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the chair.
“What is this change that has happened? We are not doing this expecting ministerial portfolios. We are still saying that we are Mahinda Mahaththaya’s people. But there was a situation where we could not even get on the roads. We are joining hands with Ranil Wickremesinghe to show gratitude for re-building the country.”
“If not for Ranil Wickremesinghe, we will still have queues”
– Anuradha
State Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms Anuradha Jayaratne said if it wasn’t for President Ranil Wickremesinghe who changed the destiny of this country, people of this country would still have to suffer in the plight of queues.
“We have to accept the fact that at this time, our country is in the intensive care unit. It should be resolved in the next election whether or not the nation will be sent to the morgue or restored to health. Some political parties who remained silent throughout the nation’s fuel shortage, are telling fairy tales at the moment.”
Ranil has Mahinda Rajapaksa’s blessings
– Lohan
State Minister of Mahaweli Development Lohan Ratwatte stated that seeing the good work the President has done for the country, the people will confidently cast their votes for him.
“If we start something in Kandy, we never give up halfway. When Mahinda Rajapaksa faced defeat, I was the only one standing by him. Without Mahinda Rajapaksa’s blessing, no one can become the President of this country.
“We are here today with the blessings of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Are we going to allow the destructive agenda of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to continue? Anura Kumara is coming here on June 16. I will also be there to witness it.”
“Can you name one thing Anura Kumara has done for the country? It must be said that Anura Kumara has no chance of becoming the President of this country. There’s no point in even talking about Sajith. I have never voted for Ranil Wickremesinghe in my life. However, we have seen the good work he has done for the country today. Therefore, this time, we will confidently cast our votes for him.”
Entire Central Province is with the President
– Mahindananda
Kandy District SLPP MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that he has not seen a platform like this before in Senkadagala town. It is the first time that we are on a political platform with the President. All the powerful personalities in Kandy are on this stage today, Aluthgamage said.
“It is the same in Matale. The entire Central Province is with the President.
“More than 30 Ministers and Parliamentarians of the SLPP are on this stage today with a very small invitation.
“We are not getting on this stage today expecting perks and privileges. We passed an era where people were dying in queues.
“There are three leaders that I respect in this country, one is Mahinda Rajapaksa, the second leader is Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who saved the country from the Covid pandemic, and the third leader is Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took over the country and transformed the economy when the people were starving.”
Ranil Wickremesinghe single-handedly saved this country
– SB
Member of Parliament S.B. Dissanayake said that it was Ranil Wickremesinghe, a single individual, who saved this country from criminals and murderers.
“From the time we gained independence, our country has never fallen into such a decline. The country fell into crisis in 2001 and again after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2001, the country collapsed because Chandrika Bandaranaike couldn’t manage the Finance Ministry properly. During that time, Ranil Wickremesinghe took charge of the country and revived the economy, making it self-sufficient in rice.
“When the country collapsed with the COVID-19 pandemic, while Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake were hiding, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the lone UNPer in Parliament, took charge of the country. It was Ranil Wickremesinghe, a single individual, who saved this country from criminals and murderers. No one can forget that.”
United Lak Vanitha Chairperson Shanthini Kongahage and former Mayor of Kandy Kesara Senanayake also expressed their views at this event.
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