President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he chose to run for the presidential election as an independent candidate to ensure steady economic progress and to establish a new political system with responsible parties.
The President said when he took office two years ago, he was confident that the country’s crisis could be resolved within that timeframe and that he has fulfilled that duty today, with the country emerging from bankruptcy and moving forward.
“I formed a government on my own, believing I could rescue this country. My role as president of a single-seat parliament has even earned a spot in the Guinness World Records,” he said.
President Wickremesinghe reiterated that without a new political system, the country’s economy cannot advance.
Emphasizing the need for a responsible political system to advance the country’s economy, President Wickremesinghe stated he does not wish to delay elections and affirmed that the people will determine the country’s future in this year’s presidential election.
“We’ve made tough decisions in the past, including limiting funds to ministries over the last year and a half. Now, the economy is showing signs of recovery, and we’re beginning to provide gradual relief to the people. Despite the ongoing suffering, it is crucial to free the people from hardship by rethinking our approach and embarking on a new journey with a reformed party system.
“Now, we must determine our next steps to ensure continued progress rather than regression. We have reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and its conditions are non-negotiable. If these conditions are altered, the IMF will withdraw, and our country will lose access to funds. Therefore, we must choose our path carefully. I believe this decision should be left to the people of the country,” he said.
The President further said that he never intended to postpone the election, despite accusations to the contrary.
“There’s no point in holding elections if those given power flee from their responsibilities. They abandoned their post when offered the position of president and prime minister, claiming the country’s problems were unsolvable. What happens if, after an election, we still say we can’t address the issues? This has turned into a new political game.
“The political system in our country has collapsed alongside the economy. Political promises and the ability to fulfil them are closely linked to economic management. The country’s economy was severely damaged by policies that effectively sold out our country. We must remember that when our economic system collapses, the political system suffers as well,” he said.
The president pointed out that restoring a broken political system is a complex task and that it must be acknowledged that the country’s political system is fractured.
“Currently, most members of the Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) align with me, while only a few support the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). In recent parliamentary elections, the SJB supported a SLPP candidate over their own party’s candidate. Additionally, Tamil parties are fragmented, highlighting the general disintegration of political parties. There is no cohesive party system in our country today.
“The JVP is currently divided, struggling to choose between aligning with civil society or sticking with its traditional roots. Today, the JVP lacks figures like Lenin and Stalin; only Wijeweera remains. In hindsight, having Lenin and Stalin without Wijeweera might have been preferable, as would have Marx present. The removal of Marx and Lenin, leaving only Wijeweera, reflects the current state of the political system,” he added.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks during a program held this week by the “All Island Journalists Association” to felicitate provincial journalists. (Newswire)