UNP will launch freedom struggle again: Ranil

On the 65th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence, the country’s main Opposition United National Party denounced the erosion of freedom under the current political leadership and said it was ready to fight another freedom struggle to ensure the people’s aspirations are met.

As the party that won independence for Sri Lanka, the UNP will dedicate itself to winning back the people’s freedom and lift the country out of the dire situation in which it finds itself, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged in his Independence Day message.

Wickremesinghe said that each day the people’s freedoms were being eroded and that when the UNP fought and won independence, it was in the hope of guaranteeing all people of Sri Lanka the freedom to live, freedom from poverty and unemployment, and freedom from illness and ignorance.

“Today all these freedoms are limited to mere promises and words. By violating conventions and pledges we have made internationally, there has been damage to our image and independence as a nation,” the Opposition Leader said.

“Safeguarding and upholding freedom is not only the responsibility of the citizen, but also that of the rulers of this country,” his message said.