Establishing a solid foundation for all students to master the English language
Read more
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that he has embarked on a new journey to advance the country's economy. He requested the people to decide whether to continue this journey and build a strong economy or risk falling back into economic decline.
He reflected on the challenges he faced in recovering the country’s economy while other leaders were abandoning their responsibilities, claiming that the nation had no future amidst the economic crisis. The President assured that he would provide further relief as promised to the people in the future.
President Wickremesinghe made these remarks while addressing the "Puluwan Sri Lanka" victory rally held in the Hiniduma today (06). The rally was attended by a large number of people, who gathered to support and confirm President Wickremesinghe's anticipated victory in the upcoming presidential election.
Addressing the rally,President Wickremesinghe also pointed out that while he advocates for an export-driven economy, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who once opposed this approach, is now claiming to support it. The President called on the NPP to honestly present their economic policy to the country, rather than misleading the public.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further stated:
D.S. Senanayake and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike co-founded the United National Party (UNP) to secure the freedom of our nation. Though they parted ways after independence, we have now reached a point in Sri Lanka where unity is essential to reclaim our economic freedom.
At the UNP, we learned the importance of truth from leaders like J.R. Jayawardene and Ranasinghe Premadasa. They taught us that, no matter how difficult it may be, we must always speak the truth to the nation and never shy away from challenges.
We embarked on a new journey to propel the country forward. Now, it is up to us to decide whether we will continue on this path to build a strong economy or fall behind. The "Pulwan Sri Lanka" program has been introduced as a roadmap for progress.
This program focuses on five key pillars: reducing the cost of living, creating jobs, lowering the tax burden, fostering an export-driven economy, and safeguarding our heritage and peace initiatives.
Contrary to what the opposition claims, we cannot move the economy forward simply by reducing taxes. The current challenges stem from the tax cuts introduced by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. However, we are committed to strengthening the rupee and providing more relief to the people. The rupee will continue to stabilize in the coming year, and further concessions will be made available. If we deviate from this path, the country risks falling into further crisis. We are working tirelessly to deliver on our promises and provide the relief our people deserve.
I am committed to fostering a new agricultural economy by providing subsidies for the cultivation of new crops in this region. Additionally, we have taken concrete steps to secure women's rights and create job opportunities for the youth.
We have also outlined plans to develop Galle into a major tourist hub, which will, in turn, boost the income of local residents. These initiatives are aimed at creating an export-driven economy, increasing national revenue, and raising the income levels of the people.
While discussing the export economy, the opposition initially voiced objections. However, today, Anura Kumara Dissanayake also advocates for an export-oriented economy, which is a positive development. In fact, Anura now echoes the government’s policies. Therefore, it is important to present this reality to the nation clearly.
We must not distort the truth. The country deserves to know what is being done. Those who cannot speak truthfully cannot be trusted.
Rebuilding this country was a difficult task. When other leaders doubted the nation's future, we persevered and restored stability. Now, it is up to the people to decide whether we will lose the economic progress we have made or come together once again to rebuild and strengthen our country.
Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana,
During the postal voting over the past three days, we believe the majority of public employees cast their votes in favour of the Gas Cylinder.
The NPP led by JVP claim that the postal vote was in their favour. How can public employees vote for them? It was under our governments that the public service was strengthened and made stable. Despite various hardships, it was President Ranil Wickremesinghe who increased the salaries and allowances of public employees. After discussions with the IMF and local economic experts, President Wickremesinghe has arranged the maximum feasible salary increase, which will come into effect in January. They will become one of the highest-paid public sectors in the country. They are a grateful group, and they voted for the Gas Cylinder.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe and our government have been given a special task over the past two years. What is that task? The people of this country were suffering without gas, electricity, even a little petrol, medicine and fertilizer. The country was in distress. The world was in distress. Despite the immense difficulties, President Wickremesinghe and his government fulfilled their duties to the people, saving the lives of the citizens of Sri Lanka.
Member of Parliament Wajira Abeywardana:
Today marks 78 years of the United National Party. When we reached 70 years, our party had only one seat. Despite that, we strived for a long time to elevate that single seat, securing both the Premiership and the Presidency. It has been two years since that hope was realized.
Today, we are united on one platform to rebuild a fallen nation. The UNP provided leadership that helped elect Maithripala Sirisena as the country's President. Though we lost Kalutara, President Sirisena was elected. We lost Galle, but we won the Galle seat.
Recently, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya held a meeting near the Samanala Bridge. It was a failure. There was no crowd. They even discouraged taking photos because the seats were empty.
There is a growing wave of support to re-elect President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Minister Ramesh Pathirana and I have held meetings in Galle, securing victories in the capital city. When Mahinda Rajapaksa ran, we won Galle. When he ran again, we still won Galle. When Gotabaya Rajapaksa ran, Sajith Premadasa and I secured victory by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Today, Minister Ramesh, MP Sampath, and I ask for a historic victory of 10,000 votes from Galle. On September 22, we will be part of a strong government ready to work again. It’s true the country had fallen, but it was President Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) that helped rebuild it.
On the 18th, we will hold our final grand rally near the Samanala Bridge. After these rallies, go to the polls on the 21st and ensure the victory of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. We aim to win the Galle District with a record number of votes, and we are confident that by midnight, President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be the undisputed President of this country.
MP Sampath Athukorala;
Here in Hinidumpaththuwa, people have long struggled with the challenges posed by sun, rain, and soil. Mr. President, when you took office two years and three months ago, there were no high expectations from Sri Lankans. Their primary request was simply for fertilizer for the tea plantations. Only they truly understand the hardship they endured just to buy a sack of urea. There was no sack of urea available for purchase even at Rs.40, 000. I urged the former president to reconsider the organic fertilizer policy after securing signatures from 43 members of Parliament. However, despite our efforts, we could not obtain relief for these people from the president we had appointed.
When you assumed the presidency, the nation’s hope was to restore the rule of law. To support this, the strength of the police and armed forces has been reinforced, a sentiment reflected in the postal vote held the day before yesterday. President Ranil Wickremesinghe received over 60% of the postal votes, underscoring the public's confidence in his leadership.
Under your leadership, the economy has begun to recover, and even the parliament was protected from attempts to set it on fire. I urge Namal Rajapaksa to avoid repeating the mistakes made on May 09 with the SLPP people and advise Sajith Premadasa to refrain from making false promises.
Former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara;
Today, representatives from the SLFP, UNP, SJB, SLPP and the CWC have come together for the future of our country. The people recognize President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the only leader capable of securing that future.
While other leaders who promised to champion the people's cause abandoned them in their time of need, President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the only one with the resolve to support and uplift those who had fallen.
In Galle, the people have rallied behind him, believing in their ability to rebuild the nation. The resilient and courageous people of Galle, unafraid of challenges and committed to progress, are here today. Under President Wickremesinghe's leadership, there are tangible benefits: “Aswesuma” assistance, Samurdhi families receiving support, and scholarships for students from the President's Fund. As long as President Wickremesinghe remains in office, these scholarships will continue, along with the distribution of freehold land deeds through the “Urumaya” program.
Not only have government employees' salaries increased, but from January, their wages will rise even further. The minimum wage for private sector employees has also been raised, and plantation workers will see a wage increase starting Tuesday.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been instrumental in providing the people of this country with a chance to thrive. However, we must ask ourselves: Will our country regress to the state it was in two years ago after the 21st? Or will we take decisive steps toward becoming a developed nation?
If the people make the wrong decision and steer the country off course, it would be akin to harming ourselves. Such a mistake could lead to economic collapse, a cessation of dealings with the IMF, and a return to the era of shortages and queues. The future of our country would be in jeopardy.
Deshapremi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sugath Hewapathirana;
We initially estimated that it would take about 10 years for President Ranil Wickremesinghe to restore our devastated country. However, he has defied expectations and transformed the nation within just two years, becoming an unstoppable leader who has astonished the world. Today, this crowd has gathered to express their gratitude to him.
In the recent postal vote, 75% of government employees, including the police and tri forces, cast their votes for the President. As support for Ranil Wickremesinghe surges, the influence of Anura Kumara and his associates is waning. The unified wave of national support is clearly behind him.
Recalling the actions of JVP during 1988/89, when they torched plantations, factories, and killed estate managers, it is clear that no one who remembers these events would support them. Their history of violence and destruction has left a lasting impression on the electorate.
Maha Sangha, State Ministers Anuradha Jayaratne and Vadivel Suresh, former Deputy Minister Nishantha Mutuhettigama, as well as artists, former PC members and representatives from local government agencies were also present at the event.
