Premadasa pledges to expand development, jobs

• Promises to improve income level in rural areas 
• Says carbon tax will be removed 
• Guarantees protection of democratic rights 

United National Party (UNP) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said a Government led by him would improve livelihood at every level of society and provide basic needs such as housing and employment.

Premadasa said he would take necessary steps to improve the income level of the rural economy and promised to address the issues of farmers. He noted that concessions would be provided for farmers to improve their standard of living.

Addressing a rally in Narammala, Premadasa said a leader should be able to hear the heartbeat of the people. According to Premadasa, he had a firm understanding of public sentiment, which would help him address longstanding issues within society. “I will offer concessions to the agricultural and industrial sector. I will do my best to strengthen them, which will eventually strengthen the entire economy. I will try my best to develop the economy and improve the living standards of citizens,” he said.

Premadasa pointed out that taxes imposed on goods and services had put pressure on people and in his view negatively affected people’s standard of living. According to Premadasa, the carbon tax had put unnecessary pressure on the public and needed to be removed. “When I become President I will remove the carbon tax. I feel it is an unnecessary tax which burdens the general public. However, this does not mean that I do not want to protect the environment; I just feel taxes should be imposed to a level that will not put unnecessary pressure on the public.”

Premadasa also said at a rally in Mirigama that under his Government the democratic rights and bargaining power of citizens would be protected. He assured that freedom of speech and the right to protest against the Government would also be safeguarded.

“The previous regime shot at protesters who demanded clean drinking water. They shot at factory workers who demanded that their rights be protected. I can assure you that none of this will happen under my Government,” Premadasa promised.