You Can’t Build a Nation on Lies – Let’s Move Forward with Honesty

• There's No Room to Gamble with Our Nation’s Economy Again.

• Don’t Undermine the Hard-Won Progress of Our Economic Recovery- President Tells the People of Kurunegala.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the country's economic collapse was caused by political parties misleading the public with false promises during election campaigns. He asserted that there is no room to gamble with the country's economy again and that the nation should not be harmed by such deceitful pledges.

The President made these remarks while speaking at the Special Convention of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya (SLMP; Sri Lanka People's Party) held today (30) in Kurunegala. The event was organized by the party leader, MP Asanka Navarathna.  

In his address, President Wickremesinghe also expressed his gratitude to the SLMP for inviting him to the convention and for their support. He recalled his involvement with the party's founding, noting that both he and Mr. Vijaya Kumaratunga supported the 13th Amendment. Unfortunately, Mr. Kumaratunga had to make the ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs. President Wickremesinghe acknowledged his longstanding relationship with the SLMP, which has spanned his time in Parliament.

I particularly recall the support extended by the SLMP, including MP Asanka Navaratne, when I assumed office and became President in July 2022. We took over the government during a very challenging period. Despite the difficulties, two years after facing these challenges, we have managed to bring about economic stability in the country. Although we had to make some tough decisions, such as increasing the tax burden, we did so reluctantly. However, during this time, we have also been able to move forward by providing relief to the people.

These concessions were made possible by the program we established in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It is essential that we continue with this program. I decided to run in the upcoming presidential election to ensure its progress. Our goal is to further develop the country because we cannot remain stagnant. For development, we must transition to an export-driven economy. It is crucial that we set aside party politics and work together for the future of our nation.

There are still unresolved issues that need attention. We are working to ensure the services of officers in charge of managing the elephant fences. Additionally, we must improve agricultural activities, as developing the economy is impossible without advancing the agricultural sector. With 80% of poverty concentrated in rural areas, it's vital to focus on village economies. By developing agriculture, we can uplift the rural economy. We have already initiated the agricultural modernization program, which will be fully implemented after the election.

Moreover, steps have been taken to enhance rice, coconut, cinnamon, and cocoa cultivation in these regions. This is a responsible economic plan, and only through such a system can the country achieve sustainable development.

Additionally, we have plans to transform Kurunegala into a major economic hub, and we are committed to bringing similar development to every province. The current state of the country's economy cannot be taken lightly, and the people cannot be deceived with false promises. Various parties have made this mistake, leading us to the situation we are in today. Therefore, instead of pointing fingers and assigning blame, let's move forward together.

Additionally, education and schools need significant improvements. Kurunegala is a district known for its strong educational development, and it is essential to modernize education in these areas. We initiated Sri Lanka's first school with student-friendly classrooms right here in Kurunegala. Starting next year, we will systematically modernize these schools, and specialized teachers are being trained to support this effort. School renovations and teacher training will be priorities over the next decade.

To move the country forward, we must strengthen the export economy. Making unrealistic promises about reducing taxes and lowering the prices of goods will not lead to progress. These changes need to be implemented systematically. Therefore, we should focus on fortifying the economy with a sound economic plan.

The prices of goods have decreased compared to 2022, although we did not have the opportunity to reduce taxes. As the economy strengthened, the value of the rupee appreciated, which in turn reduced the cost of goods. We should continue on this path.

Some candidates are promising to cut taxes, but I question how they plan to do so while maintaining economic stability. If we abandon the program with the International Monetary Fund, the country’s economy will likely collapse again.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s policy statement mentions introducing digital education and creating smart classrooms in every school. To achieve this within a year, it would require finding 10,000 millionaires worldwide, with each sponsoring a classroom. Is this realistic? Can these promises actually be fulfilled?

He wants to tell the ambassadors to find 10,000 millionaires? We don’t even have 50 embassies among 180 countries. While he can make these promises, the role of ambassadors is to represent their country, not to carry out other tasks. If he were to go around asking millionaires for money, he would likely be expelled from those countries. Then, we’d have to send a new ambassador every month.

I question whether someone who makes such misleading statements is fit to be even a minister, let alone a president? It’s not right to lie like this. Such behaviour only proves that Sajith Premadasa is not suitable for the role. People might have been lied to and deceived, but a country cannot be built on lies. We have endured significant challenges over the past two years to rebuild this country's economy. We must not return to the mistakes of the past. Instead, we should all work together to move forward with a strong and sustainable economy.

MP Wajira Abeywardana;

The SLMP has a significant history, founded by late Vijaya Kumaratunga. Tragically, Mr. Kumaratunga was assassinated in Kirulapana during 1988-89. Despite this, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and other leaders have demonstrated that while party leaders may be lost, the spirit of the party endures.

In 1948, Sri Lanka gained independence as a united group, and today, all parties remain united in their efforts to rebuild the economy of the country. In the upcoming election, the focus is not on selecting a leader based on caste or culture, but on choosing a leader for the entire country. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with a parliamentary political career spanning forty years, has served as Prime Minister for six times and has held the presidency for the past two years.

Six countries around the world have faced bankruptcy recently, but Sri Lanka stands out as the only one to recover quickly. Throughout its history, Sri Lanka has seen leaders from various communities—Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim—killed for different reasons, leading to national instability and economic collapse. The country struggled to find a leader capable of saving it until President Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped up to restore the economy.

Under his leadership, new laws have been enacted to prevent future economic collapse, including the Anti-Corruption Act, the Women Empowerment Act, and the Economic Transformation Act. These measures ensure that traditional lies and accusations can no longer dominate political platforms. The President's manifesto has been legalized, meaning that if promises are not fulfilled, citizens can seek justice in court.

Interestingly, many political parties are now adopting the policy statement that President Ranil Wickremesinghe first presented in 2001. Understanding that a country’s financial stability is tied to the well-being of its citizens, the President has increased salaries. He has given power back to the people, but he also warns that if this program fails, Sri Lanka could face bankruptcy again.

MP Asanka Navarathna;

The SLMP has chosen to support a leader who has dedicated many years to changing the political landscape and rebuilding the country’s economy. Our party believes that President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who successfully revitalized the economy in just two years, should be entrusted with the country's leadership for the next five years. During 1988-89, the JVP killed 149 leaders of the SLMP. Now, similar violent groups are once again threatening to undermine our economic progress. We will not let that happen. Therefore, our party members are united in their support for the president, who is running as an independent candidate.

MP Mohomad Muzammil;

For the first time, we have decided to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe. To ensure a harmonious and prosperous country, we need a strong economy. A nation cannot achieve economic strength by chasing after one fleeting dream after another. Just look at the current state of Bangladesh. If President Ranil Wickremesinghe had not acted in 2022, our parliament could have been attacked by activists, plunging the country into chaos. We owe our gratitude to the President for stabilizing an economy that was on the brink of becoming like Bangladesh. Therefore, let's vote for the “Gas Cylinder” this time and reappoint President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

State Ministers D.B. Herath, Shantha Bandara, MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, President of Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya Alfred Ramanayake, former Ministers Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, S.B. Nawinne and large number of SLMP member were also present at the rally.