“Shambles Economy in the Country”

(February 19, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a rally at the opening of the Branch Office at Uva Paranagama, Badulla district said UNP is promulgating a National policy in March aimed at ridding the country of the inordinate corruption now prevailing in the country.

This policy which will be formulated taking into account the view of all parties will primarily aim at eliminating the policies of this Govt. which is hankering only after building wealth and power selfishly for itself. Owing to this obsession of the Rajapakse Govt., the country’s entire machinery has got derailed .Administration is crumbling and the economy is in a shambles, he added.

‘Let all of us unite to rebuild this country based on the National policy which incorporates Sri Lankan traditions and values.’ he exhorted.

The Rajapakse Govt. has given a solemn promise that it will finish the ethnic war by end of March 2008. He therefore urged each and everyone to be ready to take stern measures, protests and demonstrations if this Govt. fails to fulfill its promise.

The UNP is a Party that has always been steadfast in its policies and stood by the masses under every circumstance unlike the fly by night parties that have proliferated to secure their political opportunistic goals only.

Has any of these parties stood up or spoken for the people against the raging corruption, tyranny and self nourishment of the Rajapakse Govt.? He asked. They shout against the Govt. during daytime to dupe the people, but in dark corridors they get together with the Govt. Away from the gaze of the people and share their ill gotten loot together, made at the expense of the country, he exclaimed.

The Govt. falsely clams that the steep price hikes and burdens imposed on the people are because of the war, but, the plain truth is that the burdens and hardships are due to Govt. corruption, ruthless profligacy and reckless fiscal bungling. Only 20% was allocated in the last budget towards the war, he emphasized. Illicit commission arrangements and insidious transactions for the selfish Rajapakse enrichment have impoverished the country, he added.