President urges all to unite in efforts to overcome economic crisis, promote reconciliation

Thursday, 23 February 2023 01:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the ceremony organised by Royal College to honour its distinguished alumnus yesterday. Royal College Head Prefect Kavisha Ratnayake was also present

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged all citizens, including politicians, professionals, teachers, those engaged in agriculture, the business community, and members of the security forces, police and civil servants, to work together to overcome the current economic crisis and promote reconciliation efforts.

He made this call at a ceremony held by Royal College to honour the President who is an alumnus of the College.

The President called upon the present generation of Royalists to dedicate themselves to serving the country and transforming it into a place where they would like to reside.

He urged young Royalists to take up the challenge and shape the future of the nation.

President Wickremesinghe also highlighted that Royalists are trained to live in harmony with all races and religions, emphasising that the country cannot be divided on the basis of race or religion. He invited all politicians who are also Royalists to collaborate with the Government in its efforts to revive the country’s failing economy, emphasising that it was not a political invitation, but rather a call for a collective effort to address the economic crisis.

“We are Royalists and we must fight back. That’s what we have learnt to do. As you know, we have to fight both alone and with many to uphold the values that we are committed to. You should fight the odds and go ahead because we have two difficult tasks in this country. One is to put the economy into order and the other is reconciliation. We can’t be divided by race or religion. Royalists are not. So let us not do that and let us all get together,” the President said.

He also urged all old Royalists to forget the differences and join together in bringing Sri Lanka up.

“I am in no way telling all those in politics to join me, I am only asking all of them to get together to get over this economic crisis. I am asking those in the business world, those who are doing a small business, those who are carrying on their agriculture, and those who are in professions to join us to get over this crisis. I am asking those who are in the military services, police, public service and teaching services to join us in getting over the crisis. That is to get over it now,” President Wickremesinghe said.