16 January 2024 09:37 pm Views - 1631
He said this during a meeting with SLPP local government members in Gampaha and Minuwangoda yesterday.
The Minister said the country is not in a situation to try out options and said any attempts to do so would plunge the country into deeper trouble.
"Presidential candidates are rampant today. There are various types of candidates. One cannot rule the country just like running a boutique or institute. Anyone can boast. But, everyone cannot perform. We have limited time to resolve the economic crisis and to establish a people-friendly government. Therefore, we have no chance to try out other candidates. This is not a time to experiment," he said.
He said the SLPP has not decided to field a candidate from the party and added that he personally believes that the SLPP must support Ranil Wickremesinghe.
"People had elected presidents in the past to resolve national issues. Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected in 2004 to eliminate the war. Maithripala Sirisena was elected in 2015 to ensure good governance and Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2019 to establish national security. So, today, we need to elect Ranil Wickremesinghe to presidency to revive the country's economy," he said.