President saved country from a massive crisis: Ruwan

• Requests people to provide the President a further term of office to continue his development programme

By L.W. Ariyaratne   

Deputy Leader of the United National Party Ruwan Wijewardene said President Ranil Wickremesinghe has demonstrated his visionary leadership and saved the country from a massive crisis.   

Addressing a public meeting at Udugampola he pointed out that the President who took over a country of which the economy had totally collapsed implemented a series of short term and long term programmes in consultation with the IMF and other monetary organizations to save the country from bankruptcy.   

The meeting had been organized by former Member of Minuwangoda Pradeshiya Sabha Isuru Samarasekara   

“The country had faced a serious crisis about two and half years ago. The people were facing hardship for want of essential commodities including fuel. Long queues were experienced round the clock. A severe shortage of drugs was experienced for want of funds for medical supplies. This resulted in a riotous situation in the country. However, nobody in the opposition was prepared to take up the challenge to rescue the country. They did not have an effective plan to resolve the crisis and to save the people from it. UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who dared to face that challenge took over the helm of the country first as the Prime Minister and then as President. He demonstrated his leadership by implementing short term and long term programmes to provide urgent relief to the people and to rebuild the country. Debt restructuring plan is one such implemented in consultation with the IMF and other monetary organizations and the world leaders. Debt servicing has been given time till 2028 and the repayment of loans would be completed by 2043. Now civilian life is back to normal.

He further said the Presidential election would he held as scheduled and that it was the duty of the people to provide President Ranil Wickremesinghe a further term of office for five years to continue his development programme.