UNP says formulating national policies should be a priority of Government

• Points to the legal provisions that elections can be held past 5 February 2023
• Suggests keeping national policies unchanged for 15-20 years irrespective of party in power
• Asserts SL still benefits from projects initiated by UNP-led administrations post-1977

The United National Party on Wednesday said formulating national policies that concern majority of the people in the long run should be a priority of government, adding that the next election can be held after 5 February 2023, as

UNP Chairman  Vajira Abeywardena

per the legal provisions.

“A national election is required to resolve the current crises faced by the country. The national policies should be taken forward by governments for at least 15-20 years as a country will only succeed if all political parties work towards a national cause,” UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said.

He said the UNP has already taken steps to face the next election by rallying the members and supporters.

The UNP Chairman noted that campaign proposals have been sent to all parts of the country and from March they are hoping to carry out programs targeting the election.

He also said programs will be initiated with the participation of the UNP youth wing, professionals as well as the women’s wing.

Although public funds cannot be used for the conduct of elections given the current financial issues, he said reserves must be allocated for a national election and steps must be taken to provide solutions to the prevailing issues.

Abeywardena also said that the existing power crisis can also be resolved by having long-term policies.

He said the country is still benefiting from the projects that were initiated by UNP-led administrations that governed the country after 1977.

He also claimed that several projects were in the pipeline when the UNP was in power between the 2015-2019 period adding the present administration failed to implement them.

Abeywardena stressed that under a future UNP-led government, policies will be introduced that can be implemented by all political parties.