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President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced plans to develop a major tourist zone stretching from Vakarai to Kattankudy, with the goal of positioning Batticaloa as a leading global tourist destination. He made this statement while speaking at the "Puluwan Sri Lanka" rally in Kalkuda, Batticaloa, this morning (08).
The rally was held to demonstrate public support for President Wickremesinghe's victory in the upcoming presidential election, with a large crowd in attendance.
In his address, the President criticized opposition leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake for lacking clear policies to advance the country. He emphasized that they focus on rhetoric but fail to offer solutions for the nation’s challenges, often avoiding responsibility when issues arise.
President Wickremesinghe urged citizens to make informed decisions in the upcoming election, encouraging them to support the "Puluwan Sri Lanka" program to ensure continued progress. He called on the public to show their support by winning the "gas cylinder" symbol on September 21.
Reflecting on his previous visit to the region in 2022, the President recalled a time when the country was plagued by shortages, with people queuing for essential goods. He highlighted his government’s efforts in eliminating those queues and providing farmers with fertilizer, leading to a successful harvest. He stressed the importance of maintaining the economic progress achieved, noting that while unemployment among youth was high during that period, new job opportunities are now being created.
Today, we are strengthening the country's economy with the support of the International Monetary Fund, and this required making some difficult decisions. I want to thank all the people who have shouldered that burden. The cost of living has already begun to decrease, and more relief will be provided to the public in the future. However, we must continue moving forward, and this year's presidential election will determine that path.
Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake have no solid principles. When problems arise, they run away and cannot be relied upon. They offer various excuses but no real solutions. If an election had been held during the economic crisis of 2022, we would have faced a situation similar to what Bangladesh is experiencing today. Sajith and Anura only seek to disrupt the country—they talk but have no plans to move us forward. We cannot entrust the country to such a group.
Our future plans are outlined in the "Puluwan Sri Lanka" program. We are establishing new industries and investment zones across the country, including major development in Trincomalee and expanding the Sapugaskanda oil refinery. Batticaloa is set to become a digital hub, and under our agricultural modernization program, we are advancing both agriculture and fisheries, providing necessary subsidies. We also aim to increase the number of tourists visiting the country to 5 million.
I first visited this region in 1977 and have maintained a strong connection with the people here. However, there has not been a proper tourist destination in this area. I am committed to developing a large tourist zone from Vakarai to Kattankudy. As part of this plan, we are upgrading the Higurakgoda Airport. The region's beautiful beaches will support tourism, and local residents will receive training for self-employment opportunities within the industry.
With the development of agriculture, fishing, and tourism, this area will see significant progress, and we are confident that Batticaloa can become a major global tourist destination. This is why we say, "Puluwan Sti Lanka" (Yes we can).
Sajith and Anura are incapable of delivering on such promises, and their ideas are at odds with the local culture. They cannot develop the country. Therefore, I urge everyone to make the right choice on September 21 by voting for the "gas cylinder" symbol.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva stated,
"It should be noted that none of the candidates running in this Presidential Election have a platform as prominent or as unified as the one centred around Ranil Wickremesinghe’s 'Puluwan Sri Lanka' initiative.
Our Presidential candidate, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has never been a leader who makes false promises to the people. He has always spoken about what could be done and has been clear about what couldn’t. Despite facing many personal challenges, he has consistently upheld truthfulness throughout his political career.
We should take pride in doing politics alongside such a leader. Two years ago, this country was in ruins, and he took on the challenge of rebuilding it without fear. He has worked tirelessly to bring the country to this point, and now we must protect this progress and move the nation further forward. We need to secure a bright future for the country’s youth. This can only be achieved by re-electing Ranil Wickremesinghe as President for another five years. To do so, we must unite the North, South, and the plantation sector.
State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Santhirakanthan),
The Eastern Province has historically been known for its ability to make timely and effective decisions. The people of Batticaloa District are rallying together to ensure President Ranil Wickremesinghe's victory.
Once President Wickremesinghe assumes office on the 21st, he plans to further accelerate development in the Eastern Province. Additionally, following his victory, two new political leaders will be appointed to the Eastern Province.
It is unfortunate that some leaders in the Eastern Province have failed to make the right decisions. President Wickremesinghe has outlined a development plan for the Eastern Province that surpasses any previous efforts by past governments.
Since the time of British rule, our people have made decisions with careful consideration of how to wield power. This careful approach has led to the emergence of prominent political leaders from the Eastern Province. We declared our support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe six months ago. His victory in the upcoming presidential election represents a crucial first step toward strengthening our district's influence. We must strive to secure a margin of over one hundred thousand votes for the President from our district.
State Minister Sathasivam Viyalendiran,
During the economic collapse that plunged the country into darkness, Anura and Sajith did not step forward to offer support. Similarly, a patient in a critical condition was painstakingly transferred from the emergency unit to a general ward. The situation in the country reflects this analogy: can a patient in a general ward be fully cured and sent home, or will they return to the emergency unit? It is up to the people to decide. If President Ranil Wickremesinghe is granted another five-year term, he will undoubtedly lead the country to prosperity.
The Eastern Province remains a leading province in rice production. The price of urea fertilizer, which once exceeded Rs. 40,000, has now been reduced to Rs.8, 000 and is expected to drop further to Rs.6, 000 in the future.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only experienced leader with strong international relations capable of advancing the country. Can Sajith or Anura achieve the same by 2030? I am confident that President Wickremesinghe will secure over 80% of the votes from our people.
Religious Leaders led by Hindu religious leaders, M. T. K. Party's Batticaloa District Organizer Tavayogaraja Niroraj, Party's Coordinating Secretary Rajathurai Rajendra Kumar, Party's Treasurer Samitthambi Yasodaran and a group of political leaders were attend at the rally.
