If Ranil doesn't take over the country again, the country will become a colony - Vajira

Mr. Vajira Abeywardena, Chairman of the United National Party, pointed out that Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only leader who was able to build some stability by taking on the responsibility of the country during a very challenging period. He also warns that if his long-term political experience is not properly utilized, there is a serious risk of Sri Lanka becoming a colony of other world powers in the future.

The Chairman expressed these views while participating in a press conference held yesterday (15) in the Galle area. He stated that the public should no longer be misled by politicians' fairy tales, and that a massive social and political transformation, even greater than the epochal change of 1977, must occur in the country for true economic freedom.

Mr. Abeywardena recalled that when Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe took over the country's administration, the official value of the US dollar was recorded at Rs. 380, but in the black market, it was as high as Rs. 500. However, through systematic economic plans, he was able to bring that value down to Rs. 290. But currently, the dollar's value has risen again to Rs. 320, and he explained at the press conference that every time the rupee depreciates by one unit against the dollar, the debt burden on the Treasury increases by Rs. 37 billion. He emphasized that if this economic downturn continues, the country's future existence could be severely threatened, and therefore, the public must act more wisely at this moment to liberate the motherland from this destructive situation.

He pointed out that despite the severe economic pressure, the people of this country have been compelled to pawn even their gold jewelry to celebrate the New Year while preserving their cultural values, and stated that the government must correctly understand this silent message from the people. Furthermore, he indicated that with the price of a barrel of crude oil in the world market currently having fallen to $90, the government should be kind enough to promptly pass on the direct benefit of the currently implemented price formula to the public.

Commenting on the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate alleged past coal deals, the Chairman of the United National Party stated that it clearly confirms that certain errors occurred in the past. Therefore, he emphasized that what the country needs today is not merely independent procurement commissions, but an extremely transparent procurement process implemented through the unity of all political parties. Further commenting, he stated that more than an opposition party that merely protests on the streets, a leadership with practical plans and extensive experience, capable of introducing laws beneficial to the country such as the Economic Transformation Act and the Anti-Corruption Act introduced by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, is essential for building the country today.