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We have failed to come together as Sri Lankans: PM

4 October 2017 03:24 am - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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It is regrettable to note that Sri Lankan people who have enjoyed 70 years of Parliamentary democracy and 60 years of independence had failed to come together as Sri Lankans, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe who was speaking during the special session of the House held yesterday to mark 70 years of parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka said Sri Lankan people had failed to establish a true Sri Lankan identity by establishing goodwill among all ethnic groups together.

"The failure to establish a true Sri Lankan identity did not allow Sri Lanka to reap maximum benefit of the open economy introduced in 1978" the Prime Minister said while highlighting that this failure took the nation towards an ethnic conflict which lasted for six decades and a war that lasted for thirty years.

" It is indeed regrettable that we have failed to come up with a political solution to the national issue " he added.

However, Mr. Wickremesinghe recalled that Sri Lanka has achieved much using it's 116 years of legislative system". The Legislative system in Sri Lanka was first introduced in 1832. The Governor appointed members for it initially, while the members were elected by the people later. "We were able to use this system to establish two Republican Constitutions using the legislative system and 70 years of parliamentary system. Later, we were able to give more power to Parliament by establishing oversight committees, " he also said.

He stressed that the nation should be thankful to late Prime Ministers D. S. Senanayake, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, John Kotelawala, leaders such as G. G. Ponnambalam and N. M. Perera who strived to safeguard parliamentary democracy. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 12

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  • ANTON Wednesday, 04 October 2017 08:51 AM

    70 YEAR OLD HOUSE WITHOUT A PROPER OWNER ......" FOR SALE"

    POINT OF NO RETURN Wednesday, 04 October 2017 09:00 AM

    " We have failed to come together as Sri Lankans " As for me - the rot started only from mid fifties and gradually has come to the point of no return At least , my hats off for Ranil to have commented on the matter .

    John Wednesday, 04 October 2017 09:12 AM

    You can blame politicians for much of the failure to 'come together', as often enough their power base depends on creating divisions.

    Kamal Wednesday, 04 October 2017 09:13 AM

    We have completely failed as a nation because of bankrupt politicians like you who try to cling on to power regardless of the interests of the nation.

    suresh Wednesday, 04 October 2017 09:24 AM

    how can we, when everyone is looking at filling their pockets and not thinking about the country

    Trehan Munasinghe Wednesday, 04 October 2017 09:29 AM

    With all due respect to the PM, Sri Lanka is this way after 70 yrs of Parliamentary democracy not because the people failed, it is because the leaders past and present have divided this country for their petty whims and fancies, inciting tension separatism and clandestine approval. "Divide and Rule" has been in our blood from the colonial era, there is no difference even now. We hope for a country that strives for One Identity as "Sri Lanka's" for all her citizens.

    BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 04 October 2017 09:30 AM

    Since independence, Sinhalese political leaders have used racism as a form of obtaining votes of majority.

    Lord Wolfstein Wednesday, 04 October 2017 10:51 AM

    How can we be grateful to S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike? With his Sinhala only policy, he has created the civil war.

    ashan Wednesday, 04 October 2017 11:03 AM

    it's everyone's fault - the politicians, the drug dealers - everyone's except, the fault of the man commenting on this post - like me. So annoying how everyone else is flawed, and i'm so perfect.

    Hautaum Wednesday, 04 October 2017 11:27 AM

    Why failed to come together as SL as, Singala-leaders had influenced on ruling, where Tamils were forgotten or believable on the period following independent..

    sergie Wednesday, 04 October 2017 12:04 PM

    we never was. Had we been the country would have never got colonized.

    ceylon Wednesday, 04 October 2017 12:53 PM

    why is that.still dont know.because of discriminations against minorities.it created civil wars.no rule of law. via DM Android App


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