A special rally that was organized for the UNP Deputy Leader Minister Sajith Premadasa last evening (August 23) in Matara. The UNP’s deputy leader was welcomed warmly at this rally which took place at the Sanath Jayasuriya grounds in Matara. The rally commenced following religious observances.
Speaking at the rally, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said that there is no need for anyone to have doubts since he would definitely contest the upcoming elections. He further said that they have already focused on leadership that would build an enormous Sri Lanka which will include programs to unite the country, to ensure the unitary status of the country and to bolster the people of the country. He further explained that when they create a change in November that he will present a new vision and a new mission which puts SRI LANKA FIRST and assured that he will indeed not go to a palace and live a luxurious life and that he will reject living in a mansion but instead go to the 42,000 small villages in the country and in all the 14,00 Grama Sevaka divisions.
He added that instead he will live with the common man of the country and save them. Sajith Premadasa urges the people to prepare, unite and strengthen themselves since the time has come for all 22 million people from all 6.1 million families to be crowned as kings in the country.
Also speaking at the event UNP Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that all of them must accept the fact that Sajith is the young leader in the cabinet who has the capability of taking the country to a place that we hope by 2025. He further claimed that although he too had issues with him in the past that he should especially state that when money is being allocated for his Ministry, that it could be done without any fear as he does not steal but instead uses it efficiently.
Samaraweera said that Sajith is the only leader who could stop this country from going back to the age of Rajapaksa slavery. He also assured the UNP party members not to be afraid as the entire party will unite to back this cause and that the Prime Minister will propose his name with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya seconding this proposal which will further be supported by Rauf Hakeem, Rishad Bathiudeen, Mano Ganeshan, Digambaran, Rajitha Senaratne, and Champika Ranawaka. He adds that Sajith Premadasa will break the record of Chandrika Kumaratunga and obtain 65% votes of the country and that he could assure the people that the country will have a UNP president after a lapse of 25 years.
UNP Minister Harin Fernando commenting on the disciplinary inquiries called against Sujeewa Senasinghe and Ajith P. Perera said that they are not scared of such threats and that the responsible parties should go ahead in doing so. He too assured the people that Sajith will be made the President of the country.
Addressing the UNP supporters gathered at the rally, UNP Minister Buddika Pathirana said that this is exactly what they were going on about in 2010 and 2011, when their party membership was suspended, when they were harassed for 3 1/2 years without a Ministerial portfolio that they had continuously only said that the party has no future if not for Sajith Premadasa. He further claimed that although the Pohottuwa MPs challenged them to bring three UNP MPs on this stage, that they will win the upcoming presidential election and that they will make five MPs come on stage in the general elections. Minister Buddhika added that when Sajith Premadasa becomes President that they will get the required five UNP members into parliament from Matara and that this challenge does not mean much to them.
Meanwhile, Minister P. Harrison responding to an inquiry made by a journalist on Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka’s statement to take an alternative decision if the UNP delays the nomination of the Presidential candidate, he said that he (Champika Ranawaka) is representing a separate party. The Minister further said that he has not used any alternative solutions as yet and that discussions are ongoing which they hope will provide a proper solution for these issues.
