Prime Minister calls on Sri Lankans to reject communalism

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in an election rally in Kalmunai in the eastern part of the island - Pix by Pradeep Pathirana​

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called on the people of the country to shed petty divisions such as communalism and join together to solve the nation’s problems.

Addressing a United National Party (UNP) election rally in Kalmunai on Sunday, the Prime Minister recalled that in the past all communities contributed to the development of the country and said that their cooperation was required to develop the country in the future as well.

The Prime Minister said that the people of this country could not be misled by religious extremism or communalism and asked the voters therefore to reject elements that spread communalism.

The Prime Minister said the Trincomalee Harbour as well as the Oluvil Harbor would be developed and a new town would be established in Kalmunai.

Addressing a rally held in the Moneragala area today, the Prime Minister said he would take measures to convert the 20,000 villages to 2,500 cluster villages with an economic centre established in each cluster village in order to strengthen the rural economy.

He said these cluster villages would be administered by a civil committee and there would be no political intervention.

The Prime Minister said that after the 17 August victory a stable UNP Government which could work together with President Maithripala Sirisena would bring in foreign investors to provide one million jobs, which in turn would increase market demand and the salaries of the current workforce.