Will base election manifesto on building the economy: Ranil

Highlighting that COVID-19 pandemic will prevail for two years in the globe, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said his party will base its election manifesto on saving Sri Lanka from a second wave and to build up the battered economy.

Kicking off UNP's election campaign at the party headquarters Sirikotha, Mr. Wickremesinghe said he is willing to come for a public debate on saving the country from a second wave of COVID-19 and on building up the economy.

"WHO has warned that COVID-19 pandemic will stay on in the world for two more years. More than a hundred thousand jobs have been lost already. There is a foreign exchange shortage in the country. Printing money is not the solution. UNP's election manifesto will be based on saving Sri Lanka from a second wave of COVID-19 and ways and means to build the economy. We are willing to come for a public debate with any rival party if they come up with alternative measures," Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

Also he said people should focus on safeguarding independent commissions such as elections, public service and police commissions.

"The Millennium generation seemed to be disillusioned on the current political system. We in the went through a similar situation in the 1970s. The then party leader advised us to stay on and he gave us responsibilities. We are slated to do the same today," he added.

“Some accuse me of getting into deals with the SLPP but I would like to state that I have never got into any deal with the ruling party,” he also said.(Yohan Perera)