Ranil Calls on Gotabaya's Supporters to Rally Behind Him

COLOMBO (News 1st); Independent presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended an invitation to the 6.9 million voters who supported Gotabaya Rajapaksa, urging them to rally behind his campaign.

Wickremesinghe questioned the commitment of the 38 other presidential candidates, highlighting their absence during the country's crisis two years ago. 

"Where were these 38 other candidates when the country was in crisis? None were there during that time. Sajith Premadasa fled. Anura Kumara Dissanayake was nowhere to be found," he stated.

Wickremesinghe criticized his opponents for expressing concern over the current situation while being absent during the critical times when people faced severe shortages of food, medicine, and cooking gas. 

"Did they not feel the pain of the people when the masses had nothing to eat? Did they not feel the pain when the people had no medicine? Did they not feel the pain when there was no cooking gas? Did they not feel any pain when the people were in queues for days? Was their pain on vacation at that time?" he questioned.

He emphasized that his team, which cast aside party differences to support him, took responsibility during the crisis and worked to uplift the country. "We operated on the training that we received from the leaders before us. Today, we are heading to polls after securing the country," he added.

Wickremesinghe urged the supporters of the SLPP and Gotabaya Rajapaksa to unite in the effort to rebuild the country, rather than supporting the opposition symbolized by the 'Malimawa' (Compass). He acknowledged that while former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned, the majority of the party continues to contribute to the nation's development efforts.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that in this year's presidential election, he is not asking for just "change" but for a full-scale revolution in the country. He emphasized his vision for an economic revolution, focused on building a new export-driven economy, modernizing agriculture, and creating a digital, green, and knowledge-based economy. Alongside this, he outlined plans for a social revolution, which includes implementing Aswesuma, Urumaya program, women’s empowerment, and establishing the Social Justice Commission and an anti-corruption agenda.

Additionally, the President outlined a political revolution, aiming to increase the representation of women and indigenous communities through the creation of District Development Councils and People’s Councils, all of which he plans to implement over the next five years.

"Working together when the country is in crisis has always been the UNP’s core principle. I’ve been accused of being "Ranil Rajapaksa" for following these policies, but the majority of the Podujana Peramuna stood with me, while a minority, led by G.L. Peiris, went their own way. We didn’t call it "Sajith Peiris" back then; instead, we focused on the country’s well-being. I acted in accordance with the training I received from the leaders of the United National Party, and those who worked alongside me learned from that same leadership. Today, together, we have stabilized the country’s economy and created a foundation of economic stability," said the President.