Let’s put an end to borrowing: Ranil

By Yohan Perera

President  Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called for the support of all parties  to create an era in which Sri Lanka would end borrowing funds from other  countries.

“It is time to put a stop to borrowing. It is time to stop  depending on other countries. Sri Lanka should earn the funds that it  wants to run the nation by itself,” Mr. Wickremesinghe told a ceremony  held to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) last  evening. 

“I took over this nation at a time when others including the  opposition Leader and National People’s Power (NPP) Leader were running  away. I took over the government to stabilise the economy. SLFP backed  me in this endeavour. I thank SLFP for it. We have managed to stabilise  the economy. I decided to contest for the presidency to sustain this  stability. I want the support of all parties to achieve it,” Mr  Wickremesinghe said. 

“Late Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike  who formed SLFP in 1952 was a founder member of UNP. Mr. Bandaranaike  created a dual-party system in the 1950s. I knew Mr. Bandaranaike during  that time even though I was ten years old. Both SLFP and UNP have ruled this  nation from time to time. 

Both parties have done good things and bad  things during their respective regimes. We have to accept this fact, “  he added. 

Also, Mr. Wickremesinghe pledged that a future regime under him would bear the cost of training youth for overseas jobs.