• Says experienced politicians are available on the UNP’s candidate list
• New people can come and learn. Still, they need to be guided by experienced people

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said his party leader, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is ready to take charge of the country in case the need arises.

Addressing a function in Galle, he said the constitutional duty of an MP is to handle public finances in conformity with Articles 148,149, 150 and 151 and therefore only experienced people should be elected to represent the House. 

He said such experienced politicians are available in the list of candidates fielded under the symbol of the gas cylinder only.

“There is a view that Parliament should be cleansed of the old guard to be filled with new faces. 

It is not something wrong. New people can come and learn. Still, they need to be guided by experienced people. The current President secured power by criticizing what Mr. Wickremesinghe did. Nevertheless, he is proceeding with what the former President initiated only. 

The programmes initiated in accordance with the IMF programme have been incorporated into laws. Nobody can deviate from them as a result,” Abeywardena said.
He said the government cannot deviate from the programme worked out by the last government.