President Ranil Wickremesinghe with government Ministers and MPs during the rally at Kadawatha yesterday where an assurance was given by him that he would announce his candidacy for the Presidential poll soon. 
Pic by Pradeep Pathirana   

PIC BY PRADEEP PATHIRANA

• Says the challenge before Sri Lanka today is to increase its GDP by five times by 2040

By Yohan Perera and  Chathuranga Chandrasekara   
In response to Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s plea for an immediate candidacy announcement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured yesterday that he plans to reveal his decision at the opportune moment.   

“An invitation was extended to me by Minister Ranatunga. You will have to respond whenever an invitation is extended to you. I will respond to Minister Ranatunga’s invitation at the right time,” President Wickremesinghe told a rally in Kadawatha.   
Minister Ranatunga earlier passionately urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to promptly announce his candidacy for the presidency within the upcoming week.   
“The people of Gampaha eagerly await your decision. Please do not delay any further in declaring your intention to contest,” Minister Ranatunga urged with conviction.   
However President Wickremesinghe instead reiterated his call for the opposition’s support to convert Sri Lankan into a developed nation.” I would like to request the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and National People’s Power (NPP) and SLFP to join us to develop the nation. The need of the hour is a national agenda. Gone are the days where each political party could hold on to its own political agenda. Circumstances demand that the country’s political environment has to be in line with the national agenda, “he said.   
The President recalled that the opposition has turned down his request repeatedly.” I have been asking for opposition support every three months but they have succeeded in denouncing me,” he said.   
Also he said Sri Lanka has been able to strike a deal with all creditors.” Creditors will make an announcement to this effect within the coming days, the President said.   
He said the challenge before Sri Lanka today is to increase its GDP by five times by 2040.” We have increased the revenues so that people of this country could live without fear,”, he said.   
UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene also called for the support of the main opposition SJB to revive the nation. “You have to do your duty towards the nation rather than trying to grab power. President Wickremesinghe has introduced a new political culture. This is the answer to those who question us as to why we work with SLPP, “ he said.