President Ranil Wickremesinghe posed a challenge to Sajith Premadasa and Anura Dissanayake yesterday to answer as to where they hid without coming forward to help the people when they were suffering without fuel, gas and electricity.
The President said that Sajith and Anura should give a clear answer as to why they did not accept the challenge and ran away when the country and the people were in trouble.
He said that if they fail to answer, he will tell them to come to his platform and sit on either side of him.
The President said that he has successfully provided solutions to the issues of fuel, gas and electricity.
The President was speaking at the inaugural “Puluwan Sri Lanka” victory rally at the Salgadu Stadium, Anuradhapura yesterday (August 17). Anuradhapura served as the launch site for a series of public rallies across the island, aimed at securing President Wickremesinghe’s victory at the upcoming Presidential election.
A large crowd from the Rajarata region, representing diverse backgrounds and political affiliations, warmly welcomed the President at the Salgadu Stadium. Former Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga also joined to support President Wickremesinghe.
A large number of people including MPs participated in the rally representing many political parties including the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP).
The President said that if the leaders who make a big hue and cry today had understood the plight of the people they should have taken over the Government and solved those problems and added that the Opposition Leader and other leaders of the Opposition have a duty to accept it if the current Government leaves.
The President questioned where Sajith, Anura and other leaders of the Opposition were at the time when the country fell to the bottom economically and added that if they cannot answer, they have no moral right to run for election.
President Wickremesinghe said that the “Puluwan Sri Lanka” election campaign is not a platform to divide the nation, but a movement where all Sri Lankans unite to safeguard the country.
The President said that the country’s economy was not built by leaders such as Sajith Premadasa, Anura Dissanayake, Harsha de Silva or Sunil Handunnetti. He said that the significant economic progress in 2022 and 2023 was driven by his Government’s provision of adequate fertiliser, which enabled farmers to achieve successful harvests.
The President took to task Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Anura Dissanayake for speaking about the people’s hardships on political platforms, calling it ironic. He said that if they truly understood the suffering of the people, they should have taken charge of the Government and offered solutions to the nation’s problems.
The President inquired about the whereabouts of Sajith Premadasa and Anura Dissanayake when the price of a cylinder of gas reached Rs. 6,800, demanding that they respond to this question. He said that if they do not, they may be asked to take the stage and address the issue directly.
“Today, you are all gathered here not for an election campaign where parties clash, but for a Movement dedicated to secure the future of our people. The rain today signifies our unity. This is not a place of division, but a gathering where the all Sri Lankans unite to save our nation,” he said.
“That is why I am running in the Presidential Election as an independent candidate without party affiliations, under the symbol of the gas cylinder. Those present here today are those who stepped in to save the country when other leaders absconded.”
Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned, as did the former President. The Opposition Leader fled and Anura Dissanayake was nowhere to be found. At that time, the value of a dollar was Rs. 377, a cylinder of gas was priced at Rs. 4,901, a Laugfs gas cylinder at Rs. 6,850, petrol at Rs. 470 per litre, auto diesel at Rs. 460 per litre, kerosene at Rs. 375 per litre, the minimum bus fare was Rs. 40, and electricity costs Rs.8 for the first 30 units, Rs. 20 for up to 60 units, and Rs. 30 thereafter. The people of this country endured great hardship during this period.
If the Opposition Leader understands his responsibilities, he should have assumed control of the Government when the previous administration resigned. If the first Opposition did not take up this role, then the second opposition should have. Yet, where were they? Today, they speak about the burden on the people’s lives, but failed to act when it was crucial.
However, I am not entirely satisfied. The dollar, which was Rs.377, is now Rs. 303. This is just the beginning; there is still much work to be done. The claim about fertiliser bundles costing Rs.40,000 is inaccurate. At that time, fertiliser was not available in the country. The current economic recovery was not achieved by Sajith Premadasa, Anura Dissanayake, Harsha de Silva or Sunil Hadunnetti.
In 2022 and 2023, we ensured that farmers received the necessary fertiliser, providing much-needed ‘Aswesuma’. The Malwatu Oya Reservoir project will also be completed with our commitment. We understand the hardships faced by the people, and while increasing VAT was a difficult decision, it was necessary to stabilise the economy. We made these choices with the knowledge that they would ultimately benefit the country’s financial situation.
We have not overlooked the challenges faced by Government employees. In January 2024, we provided a Rs. 25,000 allowance, followed by an additional Rs. 10,000 in April. Looking ahead to 2025, the cost of living allowance will be Rs. 25,000, and public service salaries will see a 24 percent increase, establishing a minimum wage of Rs. 55,000.
In the past two years, we have provided Rs. 25,000 in relief—an amount no other Government had matched. This was possible due to our effective management of the economy. We have significantly increased benefits for senior citizens and differently-abled persons.
The Urumaya program has been implemented, granting legal rights to the lands you have cultivated. Although these programs were temporarily paused due to the elections, a dedicated authority has been appointed to oversee the issuance of land deeds for two million people. This program is expected to be completed within two years, and if necessary, new laws will be introduced to support it.
We have ensured that no one is left behind and have initiated a program to share rights equitably. The concessions we have provided are a result of our successful partnership with the International Monetary Fund. Following the terms of this agreement we will secure a relief of USD 13 billion in debt payments. However, if this agreement is altered, these concessions could be lost. Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa had suggested changes that could lead to renewed economic problems, such as shortages of fuel, medicine, and gas.
Therefore, I challenge Sajith and Anura to explain how they would address these issues. If such a crisis arises, they may again retreat from the challenge.
Speaking at the rally, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena praised Ranil Wickremesinghe as the only capable leader of revitalising the economy and safeguarding democratic values. “When other leaders hesitated to take responsibility during the country’s deep crisis, he stepped up. He created an environment where people can live,” he said.
SLFP Leader Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva expressed support for President Wickremesinghe, describing him as the leader with a comprehensive program for the nation’s progressive development.
EPDP Leader, Minister Douglas Devananda credited President Wickremesinghe’s leadership for bringing stability to the country. “For Sri Lanka to continue progressing without faltering, Wickremesinghe’s agenda must continue,” he said.
Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi announced her support for President Wickremesinghe, marking the first time in her 32-year political career that she has backed an independent candidate. “Most of us are supporting an independent candidate in a Presidential Poll for the first time because Ranil Wickremesinghe has become the choice of everyone. When the former President fled the country and the Opposition Leader went into hiding, it was Wickremesinghe who accepted the challenge when all seemed lost,” she said.
Minister Ali Sabry reflected on the Government’s failures under the former President, citing the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. “Fuel and food shortages led to long queues, and there was a lack of leadership within the country and the Ministry of Finance. I had to temporarily take on the role of Finance Minister and engage in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The so-called economic experts in the Opposition at that time dared not address the crisis. When others offered excuses, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped forward to alleviate the hardships faced by the people, demonstrating true leadership,” he said.
MP Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that both the country and the world have recognised President Wickremesinghe’s success in rebuilding the nation within two years of the economic crisis. “We’ve had enough experiments; now is not the time for more. Among all the candidates, Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only one with the experience and a proven track record. The entire country is rallying to elect him as President,” Dr. Senaratne said. He also warned that international bodies have made it clear they will withdraw support if Sri Lanka violates agreements with the IMF, which could push the country back into crisis.
State Minister Shehan Semasinghe highlighted the severe shortages of electricity, gas, fuel, food, and essential medicine the country faced, along with the government’s inability to provide fertilisers to farmers. “While experts like MP Harsha de Silva deemed the economic challenge ‘impossible’ to tackle, President Wickremesinghe took on the challenge and proved his leadership prowess,” he said.
Leader of the People’s Alliance, MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa pointed out that there are 39 candidates in the Presidential Election, but when the country faced bankruptcy, no leader except Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped forward to resolve the crisis.
MPs Duminda Dissanayake, S.M. Chandrasena, Ishak Rahuman and former Ministers Masha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando also addressed the rally.
