Ranil renews often repeated call for all parties to unite

An all-party Government is not a Government that acts on the sole opinion of one party. It is a Government that comprises the views of all parties within a common policy framework, and implemented after decisions are made - President Ranil Wickremesinghe

• Insists country could extricate and be secured from great danger, only if this challenge is faced together as one people
• Asks in P’ment whether this journey can be done trapped by traditional political thinking?
• Says expectation of all citizens is for their reps. in Parliament to work together and build country

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday renewed his call for all parties to unite to build the country, stating that traditional political thinking would not fix the crisis when the public are looking for unity from their elected representatives in Parliament. 

Wickremesinghe first appealed to all parties to unite when he won the secret ballot of MPs on 20 July and wrote to all MPs last week and repeated his appeal yesterday during the policy statement following the ceremonial opening of the third session of the ninth Parliament.

“Today we are facing an unprecedented situation that our country has never faced in recent history. We are in great danger. The country could extricate and be secured from that danger, only if we all face this challenge together as one people. 

“How should we proceed forward by solving these crises? What are the responsibilities of political parties in that journey? Can we go on this journey, trapped by our traditional political thinking? We have to think anew about the political party system. The activities of the parties should be reorganised in a manner that suits the future. Should we continue to think of politics today, in the same way?” queried the President.  

“It is vital that the honourable members of this Parliament as well as the entire populace contribute with their own strength towards the effort of nation building,” President Wickremesinghe said. 

He said the expectation of all the citizens at this juncture is for all their representatives in the Parliament to work together in order to build the country. “If we come together, we will be able to invigorate the nation. If we divide, it will not only harm the people’s representatives but the entire nation,” he emphasised. 

“Therefore, I once again request all parties representing the people in this Parliament to unite in the formation of an all-party Government. I respectfully extend the hand of friendship to all of you. I confidently invite you to put aside the past and come together for the sake of the country. I have already initiated discussions with political parties in forming an all-party Government,” President Wickremesinghe reiterated.  

He said certain parties had declared that they would consider his program and give their consent to form the all-party Government. 

Making his observations in this regard, Wickremesinghe said: “An all-party Government is not a government that acts on the sole opinion of one party. It is a Government that comprises the views of all parties within a common policy framework, and implemented after decisions are made.”

“I wish to reiterate to this House the importance of an all-party Government in order to resolve this crisis and establish stability in an expeditious manner,” President Wickremesinghe emphasised. 

Earlier in his speech, Wickremesinghe quoted the poem ‘If’ written by Rudyard Kipling and also referred to teachings of Lord Buddha.

He recalled that he came to Parliament as a young Member of Parliament in 1977 and held various positions in the country. “I did what I thought was right for the country in the midst of honour-dishonour, grace-disgrace. In the past two or three years, I have experienced that the country has become unstable,” he added.  

“I took over a country that was in disaster. Severe economic crisis on one side, massive public opposition on the other. However, I decided to accept this critical challenge, on behalf of my people and the country, based on the premise that it is my duty to light even one lamp for the country rather than cursing the darkness,” Wickremesinghe said. 

“Let us embark on a new journey with sincere hearts and noble expectations. Let’s plant the seeds of truth and freedom. Nowadays, many slanders and criticisms can be directed to us. However, one day in the future, we will be proven right, when the seeds of truth and freedom we planted sprout, grow, and bear fruit,” the President said before concluding the teaching of Buddha “Be a light to yourself”, and urged MPs “Let us be a light to ourselves. Let us illuminate Sri Lanka with that light”.