President asks Opposition Leader to prioritize national interests over politics

• It is with the effort of all those concerned that the country could be built”

By Dileep Jayasekara and Sanath Gamage   

President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to prioritize national interests over politics and fulfill his responsibility to the people.   

Addressing a ceremony at Hambantota Mahinda Rajapaksa Auditorium to celebrate 32 years of political life of Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, he said his only request to the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and all other parliamentarians in the opposition is to join hands with him to build the country and to save the people from the prevailing crisis.   

 “It is with the effort of all those concerned that the country could be built. The opposition should think about coming into power only after developing the country. I invite all opposition political parties to join with us to achieve this target. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa could retain his position without any obstacle. We will protect it. As such I invite the opposition to cooperate in this endeavour and to refrain from undue criticism,” he said.   
He said he took over as President during the crisis and appointed a new cabinet with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene. He pointed out that several burning issues including the shortage of fuel and fertilizer were given priority to be addressed.   

Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, Ministers Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, and Nimal Siripala De Silva were present at the occasion.