I honour my promises, says Ranil
 

Aranayake special correspondent

UNP Presidential candidate and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said he is a man of word and when he gives a promise, he honours it.

"An unprecedented era has emerged in Sri Lanka's Party Politics, where pledges dominate campaigns, to woo the voter and garner votes to win by hook or crook," Wickremesinghe told a meeting in Mawanella.

The meeting was organised by Kegalle district MP Kabir Hashim.

Wickremesinghe said promises made for political gain may not draw the expected public support because the people have now realised the ad hoc nature of election promises.

"Today people take to politics not to serve the country and the people but to become wealthy. I have no such intention. My intention is to serve the people and the nation," Wickremesinghe said.

"The North and East ethnic conflict has brought calamity to the country. My priority is to solve this crisis through discussion. Until the crisis is solved, there will be no peace in Sri Lanka, and in such a situation, the national economy and development will gradually collapse," Wickremesinghe said.