Use your vote to safeguard your future: Ranil

People will have to think and decide as to who will safeguard their future on August 5 when they go to vote, former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Addressing an election rally in Wellampitiya, Mr. Wickremesinghe said people will have to vote for someone who could perform when it comes to rebuilding the economy.

“One has to give some payment to those who have lost their jobs as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. It is essential to safeguard businesses. The country will have to face difficulties for one year. The government will have to bear the burden. We will obtain funds from donors even as long term loans," he said.

"There will be one year without significant business. We will have to safeguard the remaining jobs and industries during this period. The government will have to take the responsibility of saving funds. You must decide on who will take the responsibility of safeguarding your future. We need a government that could create a better future for the country,” he said.

“Some counties give grants as a monthly handout to all families. The US has funded companies in their country to pay salaries to their employees. We understand that Sri Lanka cannot afford to carry out such large programmes. However, nothing is done in Sri Lanka. The youth tend to believe that they have no future,” he added.

“Jobs are lost and people have lost their monthly source of income. The youth are mostly affected. Will there be new job opportunities for them or are they going to be unemployed during the best times of their lives? These are grave issues which we are about to face,” he said. (Yohan Perera)