|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 6 December 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| UNP to begin street campaign next year by Ariyarathne Ganegoda The United National Party vowed that the party would get to the streets from January next year demanding the UPFA Government to hold the Presidential Election in 2005. "We have given sufficient time and the time drawing near is our time," UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Addressing the UNP's 50th annual convention at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds, Wickremesinghe said he was happy to have been nominated as the party candidate for the 2005 Presidential election. "I have been called to accept the responsibility of the taking the country forward."
"Ours is a record for we have been able to hold 50 annual conventions which some political parties could not do. I am happy to be the leader of a Party which drew its strength from the dedicated members who have been with us both in glory and defeat." He recalled the times the UNP was in power. He said within the 17 years the UNP was in power, the country was developed and the people elected the PA in 1994. In 2001 when the UNP took over from the PA, the country was experiencing 12 hour power cuts, the army was corned in Jaffna and the Katunayake airport was closed. There was war in the country and the national economy in a bad shape. "Within one year after coming into power, we were able to restore electricity and the country was being taken in the right track for economic revival. We also entered an understanding with the LTTE and got them to accept a federal system of government as a solution to the 20 year ethnic strife. The world in appreciation of our efforts promised to provide us US $ 4.5 billion to rebuild the country," the UNP leader said. UNP Deputy Leader, Gampaha district MP Karu Jayasuriya said the Policy of the UNP was a policy "very much fitting" our country. Our policies are framed with a human face. "In our country over 40 per cent are below the poverty line and it is our duty to look after them. There is malnutrition and it is a national problem. When the cost of living goes up, living itself becomes a problem. We need to have a proper policy to eradicate poverty. We are now preparing that policy." The UNP was founded by D.S.Senanayake bringing all communities under one banner and thus making Sri Lanka and UNP one and not two separate entities. The history of Independent Sri Lanka and the UNP are one. "There is no unity today and that is the very reason for our down fall and destruction", he added. He also said that UNP was the cradle for political leaders of this country. It is the Patriarchal house of all political leaders of this country. The SLFP leader was a product of the UNP, he pointed out. He added that some have left their `Maha gedera'. Like the well that keeps on filing with water as people drew from the well, the UNP keeps on adding with new members and strengthening it further. "We will never betray our country. We will not allow others to betray our country. Our bodies will be buried here and not elsewhere. Do not get deceived by false propaganda going round the country. We are committed to preserve an undivided country for our future generations. UNP is a party that dearly loves our country," he said. The UNP's strength is our open economy. Except a very few countries, all others have accepted it. Even China has accepted the open economy to alleviate poverty, he said. "The UNP introduced the Provincial Council System. Those who opposed the very concept have joined them and are carrying out the system further. The UNP is a down to earth party and anyone could become its leader. From 1947 seven leaders have emerged and had led this party. That is one way we differ from others. UNP is the only political party which ensures the protection of Buddhism and respects all other religions, Jayasuriya added. At this annual convention the UNP unanimosly adopted seven resolutions. UNP MPs M.H.Mohammed,Kabir Hassim,S.B.Dissanayake,Hemakumara Nanayakkara, UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema and several others also spoke at the convention. Ranil Wickremesinghe's name was proposed by Karu Jayasuriya and seconded by P. Dayaratne. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
