Ranil the only candidate to have legislated a policy to rescue the country – Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana

Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana emphasised the critical role President Ranil Wickremesinghe played in safeguarding democracy in Sri Lanka at a time when the country was on the brink of chaos, potentially facing a situation worse than Bangladesh.

The Minister expressed these views when the Homagama Presidential Campaign Office for Independent Candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe was officially opened in preparation for the 2024 Presidential Election. The event saw the participation of representatives from several political parties, including Members of Parliament.

During his speech, the Minister stated, “President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the only leader with the backbone to protect democratic institutions, including the Parliament, during a time when there was a real threat of the country descending into anarchy. If not for his leadership, Sri Lanka might have ended up under a military regime with extremists. If a mistake had been made at that time, Sri Lanka would no longer have a Parliament.”

Reflecting on the challenges faced during the recent economic crisis, the Minister highlighted that despite numerous attempts to secure an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the past, it was only under President Wickremesinghe’s leadership that a successful agreement was reached. He remarked, “This was the 17th attempt, and only Ranil Wickremesinghe, with his experience and international credibility, could have secured it. Without this agreement, the country would have continued to suffer.”

He also recalled how, in 2001, during the Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga government, when the economy was in dire straits, it was Wickremesinghe who, with the support of Ministers including Gunawardhana himself, managed to steer the economy back to stability. “In a very short period, under Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership and with me serving as the Deputy Minister of Finance, we managed to transform a negative economy into a positive one amidst many challenges,” he said.

Minister Dr. Gunawardhana also discussed the structural reforms introduced under President Wickremesinghe’s leadership, including the new Sri Lanka Central Bank Act, which prohibits the arbitrary printing of money, a move aimed at controlling inflation. He noted, “The new Central Bank Act will ensure that no government can irresponsibly print money in the future, no matter who comes to power.”

Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of the anti-corruption laws passed under the guidance of the IMF, which are among the strictest in the world. These laws require not only politicians but also their families, staff members, and even office assistants to disclose their assets and liabilities. “These anti-corruption laws are the strongest in the world. No one can amass illegal wealth under these new regulations,” he emphasised.

Reflecting on the nation’s path forward, Minister Gunawardhana called for national unity, urging all citizens, regardless of political affiliations, to support President Wickremesinghe in the upcoming election. “At this decisive moment, all citizens who wish to see Sri Lanka develop into a prosperous nation must come together, setting aside political differences, to support Ranil Wickremesinghe for the next five years,” he said.

The Minister also addressed the recent wage issues in the public sector, noting that while the Government was unable to increase salaries last year due to financial constraints, it managed to raise allowances by Rs. 10,000 for everyone. With the economy now stabilising, a committee led by former Presidential Secretary Udaya R. Seneviratne has been appointed to address wage disparities and provide recommendations for the 2025 Budget.

As the Government’s spokesperson, Minister Dr. Gunawardhana announced that from January next year, all public servants would receive a Rs. 25,000 Cost of Living allowance, and basic salaries would increase by 24 percent to 25 percent, raising the minimum salary for the lowest-paid public servant to Rs. 55,000. These funds, he mentioned, are sourced from the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility.

The Minister concluded by stressing the importance of adhering to international agreements and fulfilling the targets set by the IMF. He warned that failure to implement the laws passed by Parliament could lead to severe consequences for the country. He urged all political factions to support President Wickremesinghe, who is the only candidate with a comprehensive national policy to lead the country toward a prosperous future.

The inauguration ceremony, blessed by the local Buddhist clergy, was attended by several prominent figures, including former Minister and MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, MP and President’s Counsel Jayantha Weerasinghe, former Minister Jeevan Kumaranatunga, UNP Homagama Organiser Ranga Abeysinghe, UNP Kaduwela Chief Organiser Binara Jayawardene, former Provincial Councillor Sunil Magammana, and Sudath Hewapathirana, the General Secretary of the Deshapremi Janatha Party, along with representatives from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, and a large gathering of residents and other political representatives.

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