The leader of the United National Party (UNP) and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that only the UNP has a plan to uplift the economy and build the country.

Speaking at a public meeting held at the Nuwara Eliya Town Hall, the former Premier said in near future a UNP government with the ministers from the party will find US$ 6 billion of much needed foreign aid to rebuild the country.

Speaking further at the meeting organized by the UNP Nuwara Eliya District candidate Navin Dissanayake, Wickremesinghe said the UNP has always worked for the development of the District.

“The UNP started the Mahaweli project in the Nuwara Eliya district. We have also worked for the plantation sector. JR Jayawardena granted the estate people the right to vote under the Sirima Shastriya agreement. Steps were taken to develop schools in the plantation areas and start A / L classes. The Sri Pada College of Science was established on my proposal under a United National Party government. Mr. Saumyamurthy Thondaman assisted in that. Steps were taken to initiate special welfare activities for the estates,” former PM recalled.

“We took steps to develop schools in this area under the 'Nearest School-Best School' We had our shortcomings. But we do not blame anyone. After the Prime Minister of India Modi came and opened the Dickoya Hospital, there was a meeting in Norwood. The Indian government first gave 12,000 houses to the plantation sector and then another 4,000 houses. But the project was not implemented properly. If it was done properly, more help could have been obtained. Today plantation workers work in the city. But now they have no jobs because of Corona.”

He said the country's economy has collapsed due to coronavirus pandemic, and the second wave of corona can come before the election or after the election. Now, in addition to corona, dengue is also coming. Through this the income of the country is disrupted.

I want to uplift the economy of the country. For that the rupee should be strengthened. Then the economy of this country will be strengthened. These industries should be supported. Action should be taken to pay for the salaries of the industries. Steps must be taken to protect jobs.”

Speaking further, the UNP leader pointed out that the UNP has no ties to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. He said steps will be taken to expel those who oppose the UNP as it has been declared by the courts that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya is a separate party.

Wickremesinghe said a certain group lodged a case in Court against the UNP, claiming that the group had the consent of the United National Party to contest as part of the party.

“When the members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya were expelled from the UNP, they went to court. The court ruled that the removal was correct. Then they went to the High Court which also said it was right there too. Verdict ensured that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya was not a party formed as an alliance with the agreement of a majority within the UNP Working Committee. They can even go to the International Court of Justice if they want to but the verdict will be the same,” Wickremesinghe said.

The UNP leader said he would never make deals with the present government. “They say I will make a deal with the government. I do not want to make deals with governments. I want to get power to run this country and uplift the economy of the people, country. If you want to develop this country, if you want to create a system where the people of this country can get money, if you want to strengthen this economy, then vote for the UNP, ”

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