President, Prime Minister pledge to lead Sri Lanka towards prosperity and economic stability

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said they are committed to fulfill the promises they made and lead the country towards economic stability and establish a prosperous nation while ensuring democracy and freedom for the public.

Participating as the Chief Guest at the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the United National Party (UNP) held at the Campbell Park in Borella under the patronage of the UNP leader Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, the President said his Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the UNP, together are able to build the country standing on the same stage as both parties share a common stance on many fields. The UNP 70th anniversary celebrations were organised under the theme ‘New Country to Gather People in the Forward March’.

Addressing the massive gathering, President Sirisena noted that a large number over 6.2 million people who voted to elect him as president were UNP members and appreciated their tireless efforts to give him the opportunity change the course of the country.

The President said the two parties are committed not to allow any foreign forces to dominate the sovereignty of the nation and the people and to work together for many years.

Commending the work carried out by former leaders of the UNP to serve all Sri Lankans, the President stressed that the UNP can take the lead role to overcome the present political instability and economic crisis while establishing lasting reconciliation and peace in the country.

The President also stressed that action will be taken to build the country by strengthening national reconciliation, democratic freedom within the Unity Government. He asserted that there will be not be any opportunities for corruption, malpractices, robberies, wastage and nepotism in the country. All these things had been rejected by the people on 8 January 2015, he added.

Leader of the UNP, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the convention said the UNP will lead Sri Lanka towards economic stability and create a better country for the future generation.

He said the party is focused on future of the country and will work to ease the debt burden loaded by the Rajapaksa administration on the country so the future generation will not have to inherit the burden. Sri Lanka’s debt burden will be reduced significantly by the year 2020, he added.

The Prime Minister said the UNP is committed to ensure human rights and economic development in the country. The UNP has been a major political force in Sri Lanka and it is the major political entity that shaped Sri Lanka’s recent history.

Expressing delight over the participation of leaders of other political parties at the UNP Convention, the Premier assured that the UNP will work together with all other parties in the country to work for the betterment of the country to build a new Sri Lanka.

Emphasising that he never engaged in unpatriotic activities in any day and never entered into agreements with LTTE, the Premier said he considers the defeat is more precious than betraying the country. He asked whether it is an unpatriotic act to protect the country from the grip of Rajapaksa regime to establish democracy in the country.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also thanked President Maithripala Sirisena and other parties for agreeing to work with the UNP to eradicate fraud and corruption from the country. The Premier also invited all other parties to join the government to build a strong nation.

Ministers Harin Fernando, Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary of the Party Kabir Hashim also addressed the convention. Minister Ravi Karunanayake delivered the welcome speech. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga also participated at the UNP anniversary celebration.