CAN WE TRUST LEADERS WHO SHIED FROM CHALLENGES IN CRISIS?
The President, PM Dinesh Gunawardena and other leaders at the rally. Pictures by Sudath Malaweera
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that the political platform “Puluwan Sri Lanka” is the platform to save the country and politicians who are outside that platform are always thinking of getting political benefits even if the people are dead.
The President also made an open challenge to those leaders to answer him on the political stage if it is wrong.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the Nugegoda rally yesterday. Pictures by Sudath Malaweera
The President mentioned this while joining the “Puluwan Sri Lanka” victory rally held yesterday at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda.
A large number attended the public rally organised to confirm the victory of President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Election. They welcomed the President here with great enthusiasm.
The President questioned how the leaders who did not think about the people and did not have a solution for the crisis prevailed in the country then can ask the people to appoint them as the President of the country. He said that if this kind of difficulty arises in the country again, Sajith and Anura will definitely flee.
Therefore, President Ranil Wickremasinghe said that the people should work to appoint a leader who was with them as the President when they were in trouble. He also emphasised that the vote for the ‘gas cylinder’ in this Presidential Election is a vote for the kitchen as well as the vote that will decide the future of the country and the children.
“I would like to ask if we as political leaders need to criticise each other on the platform when the country’s economy is collapsing, or if everyone is looking for a solution together,”he said.
“When there was no gas to prepare the food, when there was no fuel, when their friends are dying without medicine, I ask whether we should find a solution together or are we still debating. The opposition is criticising us for coming together. But what did these critics do, did they solve the country’s problems and provide relief to the people? No, they ran away when they were given the responsibility. But when I was entrusted with the responsibility, I asked everyone to join me as I was a single MP. I extended that invitation to those on this stage, to Sajith Premadasa and Anura Dissanayake too”.
“These are the people who joined me during the struggle. Outside the platform is the party that thinks it doesn’t matter if the people die, they are thinking of taking political advantage. If it is wrong, I ask you to come to this platform and give answers”.
“How can the leaders who did not think about the people then and had no solution tell the people to appoint them as the President of the country today? If there is trouble like this in the country again, they will run straight to Katunayake and leave the country. Then what do we do? “Therefore, you should choose a leader who will be with you when you are in trouble. If difficult times come again in the country, neither Sajith nor Anura will be with the people.
Therefore, I would like to say that the leaders who were not around when the people faced difficulties now come and read books and it is useless.
“Today they make various promises to the people on the platforms that they will reduce the price of goods and give tax concessions. They should tell the country how to find this money.
Our main aim is to further reduce the cost of living burden on the people by subsidising the cost of living which will help to decrease the living expenses of both households and enterprises. Further concessions are expected to be provided when the economy gradually gets stronger. For the first time after the crises, our farmers were able to cultivate the past five seasons and reap the harvest. We helped farmers in every possible way to do that. Therefore, this is not a vote for me but a vote that will strengthen the kitchen. “You mark the cross against the gas cylinder not only for improving the living conditions of your home but also bringing a brighter future for your children. Therefore, I urge you to vote for gas cylinder, he said.
“When I handed over the government in 2019, the GDP in Sri Lanka was US$ 89 Billion. The rate was decreased to US$ 76 billion in 2022. The Rupee depreciated to Rs. 370 against the US dollar resulting in an increase of prices in certain goods. When a currency depreciates, imports become more expensive, leading to inflation and higher prices for certain goods. This has caused millions of people to live with hardships, compromising their rights to health, education and other basic needs. You all gave me one chance to save the country from the crisis. I had only one year to recover from this. During this time, we gave maximum relief to the people as much as we could. We had to turn to the IMF to contain the 2022 crisis and build a foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth. Together, we and the IMF agreed on a comprehensive economic reform programme to address the causes of the crisis and look after those hurt most by the crisis. But, it has t imposed a condition on Sri Lanka that prevents it from printing money. We had to find ways to find money. We have to increase taxes and we could not reduce the price of goods. Finally we have been able to increase GDP upto US$ 84 billion after hearing a lot of scolding.
Now , the prices of almost all essential items have reduced in the market and even the bus fare. “Many said that the government should reduce the number of state employees. But I did not do that since I know the difficulties of them too. I learned lessons from former President J. R. Jayewardene brings forward and enriches the country. We have increased the CoL allowance upto Rs.10,000 to government employees. For all government officials, salaries will gradually increase from an average of 24percent to 50 percent , depending on current fiscal feasibility,”the President said.
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