Karu says vote at 17 Aug. election will determine destiny of SL

Minister of Public Administration, Local Government and Democratic Governance, Karu Jayasuriya

Minister of Public Administration, Local Government and Democratic Governance, Karu Jayasuriya, in a statement yesterday said that the vote at the 17 August election would determine the destiny of the country.

Following is the full text of Jayasuriya’s statement. 

The decision of the voters at the next election will determine the destiny of the country and future of the people. The party that wins should be able to implement constitutional reforms, a program for economic development, educational reforms, a process of eliminating corruption and fulfill the aspirations of the people to live as free citizens. 

It should be also a party that could win the confidence and support of the large majority of the citizenry. At this juncture, the best group that should be elected is the United National Front for Good Governance. Several political parties and many civil society organisations have aligned themselves with the Front for Good Governance led by the United National Party which has the largest vote base as a single political party. 

It is interesting to note that several political parties representing the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and many other ethnic groups together with civil society activists, have come forward to support the Front for Good Governance. Many groups with different opinions, who earlier had engaged in ideological disputes in the past with the UNP, in the common interest of the country have agreed to join hands in order to continue with the change effected by the people on 8 January.

The Most Venerable Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter recently had stated that the main theme of the election campaign of Kurunegala District Candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa was based on racism. The Most Reverend Cardinal had also emphasised the fact that the people should reject racist politics. They believe that in the present day context the best political program for the country is presented by the United National Front for Good Governance. Therefore, the people should not get lured into unachievable and unworkable concepts and programs, however attractive those might be. Therefore, on the 17 August, people should take the correct decision.

The United National Front for Good Governance has formulated a practical program – Five-Point Plan - to develop the country. During the period of last six months an environment had been created for the people of all communities to live without fear. 

The state media is now open for free expression of different opinions. As promised, the salaries of public sector employees were increased and added to the basic salary. The present Government, demonstrated by action, how political power could be utilised for the development of the country and for the common wellbeing of the people. The country’s image, which had been tarnished in the international arena, has now been reestablished. A number of large foreign investment projects have already been initiated. Many more foreign investors and financial institutions, funding development projects, look forward to working with an administration of the United National Front Government for Good Governance.

It would be seen that every time the UNP was in power the economy had flourished with the input of large-scale local and foreign investments and initiation of development projects. Therefore, what needs to be done at this juncture is to ensure victory for the United National Front which is experienced and geared to face the present day challenges and capable of winning both local and international support.

We should not be misguided by a mirage seen a long distance away. As President Maithripala Sirisena has stated, at this moment the country needs a political structure which ensures political stability and a durable policy framework. A decent political culture and a healthy economy with upgraded living standards should feature within this structure and it is imperative that it should be recognised internationally so that our country could earn goodwill and friendship.

The United National Front is the only political party which has a program to achieve these objectives and it is Ranil Wickremesinghe who could provide the leadership for the implementation of the program who is endowed with intellect, experience and international recognition. In this decisive hour we have to act prudently and identify the need of the hour. Intelligence should take precedence over emotion.

Perera asks MR to come up with more intelligent slogan than racism and LTTE 

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