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Vital to fast track reconciliation and economic development: PM

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5 August 2017 08:30 am - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday stressed the need to speed up the process of finding a political solution to the national question and the development of the economy.

He said this during the vote of felicitation to mark his 40 years as a parliamentarian.

“The two main factors we have to focus are on securing permanent peace and economic development and it is essential to speed up our effort to achieve these objectives,” the Premier said and added that the two main parties should work together for this purpose.

“World politics was based on Europe during the time I joined politics but today the region that is emerging is Asia and we Sri Lankans should understand this situation,” he said.

Mr Wickremesinghe earlier highlighted the major political events during the last 40 years.

“I was initially elected to the National Assembly in 1997 and the present Parliament complex was built in the middle of an island. We witnessed the 1983 riots, an impeachment motion being brought against a president, the assassination of a president, the assassination of an opposition leader, the end of a war and the jailing of a candidate who contested the presidential elections. This was the kind of political arena I have been working in during the past 40 years,” he said. “One thing I learnt during my career is that one must take to heart the advise given by one's elders and the value of learning from experience. As an experienced politician the advice I can give is that one should maintain discipline and gracefully accept both victory and defeat.

He thanked his family, the former Presidents J R Jayawardene, R. Premadasa and former ministers Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake for positively influencing his career. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 12

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  • Thilak Saturday, 05 August 2017 08:44 AM

    Yes now you have to fulfil the constitution promise.

    Ram Saturday, 05 August 2017 08:58 AM

    Public resentment of Yahapalanaya is visible. So honor your pledges to the international community before going home.

    gerard Saturday, 05 August 2017 09:55 AM

    This PM talks big..does not say anything about the bond scam....and his crony RK....he should resign forthwith....40 years is a long long time...time to retire and go home...we have had enough of him

    Don Saturday, 05 August 2017 01:41 PM

    Both Bond scam and RK is under investigation so why should PM gets involved in this. For sure current PM is the most qualified PM Sri Lanka has. Many of the current politicians cant even speaking in English or draft a letter in English so we should have more of RW before he retires.. No offense but open ur eyes and see whats happening around the world

    johan Saturday, 05 August 2017 04:41 PM

    While appreciating his 40 years in parliament and the gentleman politics he did but should give preference for the following not only to development and reconciliation.1)He should have introduced some mechanism to track any malpractices done by his subordinates during his tenure. Trust is different introducing systems is different2)While he is choosing the head of the institutions must not give preference only to Royalists there are too much talented people are there in Sri Lanka with good educational background and characters studied in best schools.3)Now we are living in the 21st century why people want to become MPs and ministersif they are good in their education.Their first preference is lust of money.4)The present days politics cannot be compared at all to the JR,Premadasa Era.Much corruptionsare observed past one decade.5)Must not allow public to over ride Government policies.Not party policies but national policies should be implementedHope much consideration will be given for the above and wish you all success in your future endeavours

    RE - CON Saturday, 05 August 2017 09:57 AM

    reconciliation to me also requires fast tracking - (a) justice on murders (eg Lasntha, Thajudeen) (b) Getting back all monies robbed by those in the former and present regime, (c) sacking those responsible for blocking the above issues (d) this regime to be talking the truth in all matters. (e) and stop wasting public funds on tamashas and religious matters to boost the ego of individuals

    Kapila Saturday, 05 August 2017 10:21 AM

    What impact did you make on the country during 40 years? Other than the decline of the dominant political party, nothing.

    Premalal Saturday, 05 August 2017 12:47 PM

    He is trying to draw the attention of the country away from stench he had created.

    SHM Saturday, 05 August 2017 12:47 PM

    Reconciliation yes of course of important. Tell us why did you make a mess out of the country by bringing you Singaporean friend Mahendran and made him to be the Governor of Central Bank. When the bond scam broke out you were vehemently defending him. Now see your Finance Minister also involved. Why are you not uttering a word about the whole stinking issue, when this subject is being discussed at breakfast, lunch and dinner. It annoys to see you with a smile in the picture together with your 'amba yaluwa' Mahendran.. Chike lajja nedda?

    Premalal Saturday, 05 August 2017 12:49 PM

    The best thing you can do for this country is to get out of politics. You have done enough damage in 40 years which will take a millennium to rectify.

    Citizen Saturday, 05 August 2017 01:28 PM

    Please resign and go home

    Mad Dog Saturday, 05 August 2017 10:02 PM

    Ranil, the only good quality you have is honesty. But I am sorry to say that you are not a strong politician. To become a strong politician you have to be arrogant. Look at MR he controlled all the ministers like his servants. I remember one time all the ministers started calling his son Namal Sir. If you follow MR foot step you will become a strong leader. But don't follow MR's other crooked way.


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