• It was a significant day for the UNP and the whole country

By Yohan Perera  

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe became an MP to unite all members of Parliament and establish a national policy to push the nation through its present crisis, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.  

Speaking to journalists in a small scale celebration held at the party headquarters Sirikotha Mr. Wijewardene said the main purpose of MP Wickremesinghe is to build up the shattered nation. “We have sent him to Parliament to try and come up with a national policy.”   “It was a significant day for the UNP and the whole country,” he said.  
Asked whether the UNP had forgotten its one time leader Ranasinghe Premadasa’s birthday yesterday, the party had never forgotten him. “We have the statues of all our past leaders and we respect and commemorate Mr. Premadasa,” he said.  

Asked whether Mr. Wickremesinghe will contest the next presidential elections and whether he will be able to win such an election , he said the focus on next presidential elections would be a programme of work which will be presented by the candidates rather than personalities.  UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said the focus of his party is to make Mr.Wickremesinghe the President of this country rather than making him the Leader of Opposition. “ Wait and see as to who will support Mr. Wickremesinghe,” He said.