National Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe declared that those who have led the country thus far have brought its policies to ruin and that rebuilding the nation requires starting anew.
He made these remarks during the unveiling of his manifesto on Thursday (5).
He further stated, “I believe today marks a historic day for our country. After 76 years, we are living through one of the most difficult periods in our lifetime. Yet, in this challenging time, we have been presented with an opportunity to reignite a new hope for the future. After 450 years of subjugation under European powers, our ancestors sacrificed their blood, sweat, and tears, and in 1948, D.S. Senanayake united all ethnic groups – Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, and Malay – and prepared for a monumental effort. With the support of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, he secured our independence. At that time, our country was one of the most developed nations in the region. We were the first nation in Asia to hold universal suffrage. Today, however, for the first time in history, we are conducting an election in a bankrupt country.
“Not only has the nation become bankrupt, but our political parties and leaders have also failed. They have brought the people to ruin as well. Many blame the 76-year curse, but until the era of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, our leaders had not driven the country into bankruptcy. Even though small mistakes may have been made during their leadership, never had they plundered public resources, driven the nation to an abyss, or burdened the entire population with debt, as is the case today.
“With the introduction of the 1977 Constitution, the free-market policies, the executive presidency, and proportional representation, we have created a brutal society. Those who led this brutal society have destroyed our policies. Now, we have no choice but to rise again from the very beginning. This election is not a battle imposed on us by the Constitution, but one we have already won,” he asserted.
The post We have to rise again from the very beginning – Dr. Wijeyadasa appeared first on DailyNews.