11 July 2020 06:31 pm
Former prime minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday requested the party members in the grassroots level to initiate a dialogue with those who have left the party to get them back to the fold.
Speaking at an election rally in Kirulapone, Mr. Wickremesinghe instructed the party members to woo those who have been disillusioned with SLPP as well.
"Talk to those who have left our party and get them back to our fold. Talk to those who are disillusioned with SLPP. Tell them that a UNP government will revive the economy," Mr. Wickremesinghe said.
"I took over a country with a minus economic growth in 2001 and turned it to a plus growth. I will do the same and revive the economy which is battered by COVID-19. The country is facing a six billion dollar foreign exchange shortage. A UNP government will correct this situation," he added.
"I have managed to get a concession for electricity tariffs. I questioned as to why the concession was given to those who use less than 90 units. Now the President has said to look into the possibility of giving the concession to those who use up to 250 units. I have been able to extend a concession even without power. I will do more if voted into power," he also said.
UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake said COVID-19 has started spreading once again despite the assurances given by the government. "The UNP government was able to control SAS in 2003," he said. (Yohan Perera)