PM calls for people’s support to continue initiative of good governance

Prime Minister and leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe

Prime Minister and leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe said his party will continue the initiative of good governance of President Maithripala Sirisena’s Government further and asked the people to support the party in ensuring a free and democratic society.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the UNP will contest at the upcoming general election scheduled to be held on 17 August to consolidate the radical change that took place on 8 January.

Speaking at a meeting held in Gampola on Saturday the Prime Minister requested all the quarters of the society to join hands with him to ensure a free and democratic society in the country.

The Prime Minister also noted that the two main parties of the Government, the UNP and the Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP) will contest the general election separately.

Explaining that the new socio economic program can be carried out with the support of both parties in the future, the Prime Minister said that the two main parties did not join with a view of opposing a multi-party system in the country.

Speaking earlier during a meeting with electoral organisers at the party headquarters – Sirikotha, the UNP leader said the party will not grant nominations to individuals facing charges including corruption. The party meanwhile has appointed the Provincial Council, Good Governance and Buddha Sasana Minister Karu Jayasuriya to head the election campaign of the UNP. Minister Jayasuriya announced that he will not contest the upcoming parliamentary election.

Following the dissolution of the parliament yesterday, the Prime Minister has appointed a committee to steer the election campaign under the leadership of Minister Jayasuriya. Chairman of the party Malik Samarawickrama and Legal Secretary, senior lawyer Daya Pelpola have also been appointed to this committee to assist Jayasuriya.

President Maithripala Sirisena Friday dissolved the parliament and scheduled the general election to be held on 17 August.

People will not allow Rajapaksa regime to return - PM

Prime Minister and the leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the Sri Lankan people will not allow the return of the Rajapaksa regime at the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Speaking at an event in Dambulla Sunday, the UNP leader said that the people defeated the regime of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 8 because of the corruption, nepotism and other ills and the people will not allow that era to reign again.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the United National Party would willingly contest former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the general election and challenged the former president to contest the forthcoming general election without running away from the contest.

However, the Premier said if Rajapaksa contests, he must name his Cabinet beforehand, including Ministers responsible for ‘white vans’, ethanol import, drug smuggling and other such activities.

The Prime Minister said the UNP would defeat the Rajapaksa regime again and move its brand of politics to oblivion.