I am contesting the election after completing my preliminary responsibilities and officially ending the bankruptcy status – President says in Homagama

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at the “Ranil Can” victory rally in Homagama yesterday (18) afternoon, stated that Anura Kumara has publicly acknowledged the correctness of the IMF programme initiated for the country’s recovery. He also noted that Sajith Premadasa lacks understanding of the programme.

Addressing the large crowd gathered to show support ahead of the upcoming Presidential Election, President Wickremesinghe highlighted his efforts over the past two years to steer the nation’s economy back on track, fulfilling the responsibilities he took on in 2022.

He emphasized that, with the mandate expected on September 21, he is committed to leading the country toward development, particularly for the benefit of the youth.

The President extended an invitation to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, asking him to support the continuation of the IMF programme, given his public endorsement. He also urged voters not to entrust the nation’s future to leaders like Sajith Premadasa, whom he criticized for lacking a proper understanding of the IMF initiative. The President called on the public to vote for the “Gas cylinder” symbol on September 21 to ensure the country’s economic progress continues.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena:

Many of our speakers’ evidence that Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara didn’t take responsibility for the country when it faced a huge crisis. There was hope of overcoming that huge challenge with President Ranil Wickremesinghe accepting that historic responsibility. He took the strength to take another step forward from the various obstacles faced by the opposition at that time, and he was able to take another step forward.

There was no other suitable person in the Parliament at that time than President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a former Minister, Prime Minister as well as a mature politician with international connections and experience. In the past two years, he has proven it.

Such a strong leadership is necessary in order to maintain a government in the country. The leadership of the state is what we need. Economic and political stability and international trust should be established through new ideas. The only perfect leader out of all of these is President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who recovered the fallen country. There is no one among the other candidates who can even come close to him. You should go to the polling station early in the morning on September 21 and cast the vote for the “Gas Cylinder” to ensure the victory of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the motherland.

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana:

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only leader in the country who has enacted the Economic Transformation Bill, which includes the programme and policies aimed at achieving a per capita income of US$ 20,000 by the year 2048, said Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.

The Minister was addressing the final election rally in Homagama organized by him to ensure the victory of President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday evening.

According to this legislation, the current government is required to achieve significant objectives in governance. This Act stipulates that the debt burden must be decreased by 95 percent relative to the Gross Domestic Product by the year 2032, he stated.

The Minister added that this Act stipulates that the central government annual gross financial needs to GDP ratio should not exceed 13 percent by 2032 and the government’s annual debt service to GDP ratio shall also be below 4.5 percent.

He also said that the state revenue should be maintained at 15 percent of the GDP and the primary balance target should also be maintained at 2.3 percent of GDP and the annual growth rate should also be maintained above 5 percent under this Act.

“Sajith, Anura or Dilith cannot even think of such a programme. Therefore they are not talking about the Economic Transformation Bill. This is the reality”, the Minister said.

The Minister expressed happiness about the participation of massive crowds at the rally.

Despite the fact that other leading candidates in the Presidential campaign conducted election rallies in Homagama, I am pleased to note that this rally has attracted an exceptionally large crowd, he said.

The Minister added that the upcoming Presidential Election is the most crucial and decisive election in the country. “Therefore it is very important to cast your valuable vote before the Gas Cylinder symbol and ensure the victory of President Ranil Wickremesinghe”, he added.

Minister Dr. Gunawardhana added that the President’s victory at the upcoming Presidential Election will determine whether the country will progress or not.

People should understand that their vote will put the country on the road towards another Afghanistan or Singapore. Your vote decides the future of the entire country”, he said.

The Minister said that the United National Party and the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, formed by former Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike and Philip Gunawardena are supporting the Independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe at this election.

“The SLFP which was nurtured by world’s first Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike is also supporting the Independent candidate without fielding a candidate from the party”, he said.

Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha:

Anura Kumara Dissanayake has claimed that Parliament will be dissolved on September 22. If necessary, Parliament can be dissolved at any time. However, if Parliament is dissolved, there will be no Parliament, no Provincial Councils, and no local or municipal councils. There will be no public representatives, and a single individual will hold all the power in the country. According to Article 4 (a) of the Constitution, this person will also have security and executive authority. This includes control over the three armed forces, with a total of 300,000 personnel, and the police force, which consists of 100,000 officers, as well as the entire state administration.

We must consider what would happen to the people of this country if such a person were to gain all these powers on September 22. History has shown us what such groups have done, having used weapons unlawfully or stolen them. We must consider how such individuals might exercise this legally granted power.

Ranil Wickremesinghe has served as Prime Minister of this country five times and is now serving as President. He has managed to restore peace and stability without expending a single bullet.

During my time as a legal professional, I witnessed the dire conditions of 1988-89. This election is not taking place under normal circumstances like previous ones; it is occurring during a critical period. Management of this situation requires not just political leaders but also a state administrator. Among the 39 candidates, I ask if there is anyone who is a state administrator. State administration goes beyond politics. The only candidate who possesses the necessary intellect, education, management skills, capability to maintain international relations, and maturity is President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The event was attended by Maha Sangha, other-religious clergy, Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe, Minister Ali Sabry, MPs Rajitha Senaratne, (Major) Pradeep Undugoda, Madhura Withanage, Former MPs Thalatha Athukorala, Nandana Gunathilake along with political representatives of the area and a large gathering of people.

Pictures by Ranjith Asanka and Sudath Malaweera

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