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President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his intention to abolish the line room system, expressing his hope to provide plantation workers with free land rights and the opportunity to live in modern villages equipped with advanced facilities. He made this statement while speaking at the "Ranilta Puluwan” (Ranil Can) victory rally in Haputale earlier today (08).
A large crowd attended the rally, which was organized to support President Wickremesinghe’s bid for re-election. During his address, the President reflected on the hardships faced by the public during the country’s crisis, particularly the fear and uncertainty experienced by those standing in queues for fuel, gas, and medicine.
He emphasized that he took on the presidency to correct those issues and is now seeking a mandate to continue the reforms initiated over the past two years.
Addressing the victory rally President Wickremesinghe further stated:
"I have long known the areas of Bandarawela, Haputale, and Diyatalawa. Today, I come to Haputale with a clear vision. When I visited in 2022, there were long queues for essential items, no jobs, no electricity, and the people feared for the future of the country. I accepted the responsibility of steering the nation out of crisis, and I made difficult decisions to ensure the survival of our people.
We initiated the program in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Having previously worked with the IMF, I knew how to navigate the process, which helped ensure the program’s success.
Today, we have strengthened the country’s economy. Additionally, we have launched a relief program aimed at reducing the cost of living for the people. As the rupee continues to stabilize, we expect further reductions in the prices of goods.
In 2023, the government had sufficient funds, and we introduced the 'Aswesuma' program to assist low-income families, providing significant benefits that were increased from Rs. 1.8 million to 2.4 million. We are also working to improve the living conditions of elderly residents in line rooms.
By 2024, the economy had grown even stronger, allowing us to increase the salaries of government employees and raise the wages of plantation workers. Looking ahead to 2025, we expect further economic growth, and as recommended in the Seneviratne report, we will continue working to further increase government salaries.
We have successfully secured debt relief agreements with the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and 18 creditor nations. This has resulted in $10 billion of debt relief, and the repayment period has been extended until 2043. If we continue to follow these agreements, our economy will strengthen. It’s now up to the people to decide in this presidential election whether to maintain this progress.
Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake propose to change the current program, but doing so would forfeit these concessions, potentially leading to a decline in the rupee once again. I believe the people of this country are not willing to take that risk. Their promises do not suit the economic needs of the country today.
We have developed a plan to shift our economy towards an export-driven model, similar to countries like Vietnam and Tailand, which will allow us to build a surplus of foreign reserves. We are also focused on raising wages for plantation workers, ending the line room system, and creating plantation villages where residents will receive free land rights, granting them the same privileges as other village dwellers.
In Bandarawela, we are building a large storage facility to store locally grown fruits and vegetables for distribution or export to Colombo. This is a crucial step forward. Additionally, we are focusing on expanding the tourism industry in this region to create new job opportunities.
We are advancing national development by establishing investment zones and digital centres, and we have not forgotten the importance of supporting women. We have passed the Women Empowerment Act and implemented measures to combat violence against women. Furthermore, we are working to bring more women into the workforce, which will contribute to a stronger economy.
On September 21st, I encourage everyone to come forward, cast their vote for the ‘Gas Cylinder’, and support the continuation of this program.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva:
This platform is unique. It’s not the one we’re accustomed to. In the past, we held meetings divided by different political parties. However, seeing this platform today, I have no doubt that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will win this election. Yesterday, I attended two meetings with him in Jaffna, where crowds gathered in support of his victory. He is a true leader who took on the enormous challenge of rebuilding a nation that no one else was willing to take responsibility for. We must elevate him to the presidency because of his commitment.
State Minister Vadiwel Suresh:
All Tamil parties in the Badulla District have united in support of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s victory. Through this unity, we are confirming his victory in this election.
I continue to call on the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to return the identity cards they took from estate workers and to rebuild the tea factories they burnt. How many superintendents did they assassinate? They even burnt the buses we needed for our journey.
If we vote for Sajith Premadasa or Anura Kumara, we will once again fall into hardship. The Estate workers' votes will go to gas cylinders. Our children's education, healthcare, and wages for estate workers are all entrusted to President Wickremesinghe.
It was Ranil Wickremesinghe who gave us houses, teacher appointments, and sent more Provincial council members to Parliament. As a mark of respect to the Tamil plantation community, it was President Ranil Wickremesinghe who appointed Senthil Thondaman as the Governor of the Eastern Province. We must dedicate ourselves to ensuring his victory.
Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman:
There has been no change in the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) decision to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The President took on the challenge of rebuilding a collapsed country two years ago, and that work is still ongoing. He is the only person capable of continuing to face these challenges over the next five years. Our only condition is that he remains in office to fulfill this responsibility.
During the economic crisis, when the nation faced long queues, no one stepped forward to address the issue. However, under President Wickremesinghe’s leadership, the queues disappeared, proving his capability. Today, the President can speak about his achievements, whereas no other candidate has anything comparable to show. That’s why we must ensure his victory in this Presidential Election.
State Minister A. Aravindakumar:
Until now, political parties acted like distant planets, separated from one another. Today, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has united all parties and brought them to a single platform.
He is also working to give land ownership to the people of the Up-Country. Therefore, it should be noted that the day when the Up -Country people receive housing and land rights is not far away.
Among the 38 candidates running for Presidency, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only one with both intelligence and strong international relations.
State Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake
The Badulla district is the strongest supporter of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. We, the people of Badulla, are coming together to ensure his victory. The entire district is united in our goal of securing a decisive win for President Wickremesinghe by voting for the “Gas Cylinder.” He has played a crucial role in bringing us all onto a single platform.
MP (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya:
We have united for the betterment of our country. Without President Ranil Wickremesinghe, this opportunity might never have materialized. Today, we stand together on this stage as an independent party; working towards a victory for the “Gas Cylinder” that once seemed out of reach.
President Wickremesinghe took on the challenge of nation-building, believing in our potential. There is no other leader who has stabilized a country as swiftly as he has. His methods are now being recommended by the international community to countries like Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Ethiopia.
Former PC Member Jayantha Kannangara;
President Wickremesinghe has fundamentally changed the course of this nation. We never imagined a day when we could breathe freely again. Every cent received from this country has been meticulously utilized for essential needs, and it is through immense effort that we have returned to stability.
In a democracy, you should validate his journey. After two arduous years, he has proven his capability to rebuild this nation and seeks your vote to be elected president with your sovereign power.
The esteemed leaders of the UNP have contributed significantly to the country's development. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has launched a major initiative called the “Kandurarata Dashakaya”, with substantial funding from India. He is known for his actions more than his words. This country needs dedicated leaders, and President Wickremesinghe is a prime example of hard work and commitment.
Religious Leaders led by Maha Sangha, former Minister Harin Fernando, large number of political representatives from various parties were also present at the rally.
