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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe calls on all parties to unite against “constitutional dictatorship”
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
United National Party Leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called on all political parties to unite to rally to stop the constitutional dictatorship and stand together to protect democracy.
The former President, delivering his address at the 79th party anniversary, called other parties to unite.
Mr Wickremesinghe spoke publicly for the first time of his arrest and remand
He thanked all political parties for extending support to him when he was arrested and remanded. He thanked political friends and foes for uniting against the threat against democracy, and said that the anniversary was held to thank everyone who stood by him.
Former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena met him, he said, while former president Chandrika Kumaratunga was unwell, and therefore sent a message. “Even former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was overseas sent a message. The Opposition Leader too visited me.”
Mr Wickremesinghe added that they changed the way the anniversary was held and decided to use the event to thank them.
“Today we are not talking of the party, we are talking about working together and working towards defeating constitutional dictatorship,” he said.
Mr Wickremesinghe spoke publicly for the first time of his arrest and remand, appearing moved as he did so.
“I went on an official visit; I went to Cuba to engage in a meeting with the 77 group of developing countries and also went to Havana, where I met many African leaders during my visit. I even met the Cuban leader as there is a tradition in the UNP, as in the past former president J R Jayewardene and Fidel Castro had a special relationship where both of them exchanged Ceylon tea and Cuban cigars. As a result the visit was made,” he said.
The former President added that discussions were held at that meeting regarding global development loans on globally developed countries. Thereafter, he went from Havana to New York for an official visit to the United Nations, where he met many leaders including the former Iranian president, Malaysian prime minister, the World Bank president, IMF Director General and General Secretary of the United Nations. The visit was made as he was required to discuss Sri Lanka’s economic condition with the World Bank and IMF during that visit.
“Afterwards, while I was returning, I stayed one night in London as I was in transit, this was an official visit. I accepted an official invite because I was there at that time,” he said.
He found out later that he was arrested according to a complaint lodged by the Secretary to the President.
The General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Ranjith Madduma Bandara read out a message by party leader Sajith Premadasa.
He explained that he is delivering the speech while firmly remaining of the view that everyone should work together. He said that the leaders of the UNP developed the country by providing agriculture development, providing free education and opening the country to the world through an open economy.
The General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramauna, Sagara Kariyawasam explained that both camps made a mistake by claiming that each other were rogues to obtain power.
“We, in search of power, undermined the service that others have done to the country, claiming that they were rogues without evidence. That mistake was made by our camp and yours,” he said.
Dayasiri Jayasekara said that a government which marketed itself saying they will catch thieves, had spent a year in power. “Their first theft was the release of 323 containers from Customs.”
Mr Jayasekara said that the government has not even followed the proper tender procedure to hand over wind power generation; they have put aside the highest bidder and awarded the tender to the second highest bidder, who has good relations with them.
He added that when there were 700 containers of imported garlic available, they taxed Rs 50, increasing the price of onions sold for Rs 100 to Rs 150. The revenue made from this was not revealed.
Deputy Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Chamara Sampath Dassanayake said that both the UNP and SJB should join forces.
He warned them not to invite other parties to join unless they first get together, adding that they would work with both leaders Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa. “Without joining together nothing can be achieved,” he said.
UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem, Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance Mano Ganesan also spoke.
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