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President restricts foreign travel for Govt. members as party gears up for presidential polls

10 April 2024 07:40 am - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, April 10 (Daily Mirror) - Ahead of the presidential election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the government members to restrict foreign travel as much as possible because their presence is required to undertake political work, an informed source said.

The United National Party (UNP) led by the President is planning to ramp up political work in view of the election after the May Day rally.

The party is planning to conduct the rally on a grand scale this year as a springboard for the launch of political work directly targeting the presidential elections. At the moment, the party is in the process of conducting meetings across the country with professional groups.

The President is planning to participate in the election representing a broad alliance where numerous parties and groups are slated to join.

Already, a large number of SLPP MPs have thrown their weight behind him while the other faction of the party insists on fielding its own candidate.

Asked for a comment in this regard, UNP Chairman MP Vajira Abeywardena said no other candidate could match the international stature of the President.

Responding to a query whether the President would tie up with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), he said, “The President is capable of working with any party. He accomplished what no other leader can do.”


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  Comments - 23

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  • PEOPLE WILL DECIDE WHO THEY WANT TO GOVERN THIS COUNTRY NOT THE INTERNATIONAL WORLD, AS THEY ALREADY KNOW HOW THE COUNTRY WENT INTO A SINK HOLE. Wednesday, 10 April 2024 08:38 AM

    UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT AN INTERNATIONAL ELECTION MR CHAIRMAN, THE PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA DO THE VOTING AND ANYONE WOULD IMAGINE THEY VOTE TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE KNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE OF THE CANDIDATES CONTESTING, THE FAITH THEY HAVE THAT THE COUNTRY WILL BE A BETTER PLACE AND WHAT EACH OF THE CANDIDATE'S AGENDAS ARE TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS THE CANDIDATES OR WINNER GOING TO BRING ALL THOSE WHO BROUGHT THE COUNTRY TO ITS FEET BEFORE A COURT OF LAW INCLUDING ALL CORRUPT POLITICIANS/PUBLIC SERVANTS AND CONFISCATE ALL ILLGOTTEN WEALTH WHEREEVER IT MAY HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED, STOOGES INCLUDING.

    Nimal Wednesday, 10 April 2024 08:51 AM

    First of all it should apply to the pin president.

    Asakvlfsdbg;sjgndjgn Wednesday, 10 April 2024 08:51 AM

    Your Excellency, yes, have big hopes, but people of this country expect the Rajapakse's to be whitewashed, and taken legal action against them, including you, but majority feels that a change should take place immediately, the best allocation is the AKD, but people say, it will not exist, we all feel that they will definitely take the correct justice.

    Nimal Wednesday, 10 April 2024 08:54 AM

    "He accomplished what no other leader can do.” Quite correct about the central bank robbery

    sam Wednesday, 10 April 2024 08:55 AM

    So you restrict foreign travel when there is a election, if not keep travelling

    Ama Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:05 AM

    Prez should also focus on the CORRUPTION commited by prevuious regime. Then definitely he can woo support from sizable segment of people.

    joshua Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:07 AM

    For greed of power they will stop everything and campaign. But not for stopping waste of taxpayers money on these useless overseas trips.

    Steve Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:24 AM

    Except himself

    Last chance Wednesday, 10 April 2024 10:00 AM

    This is all bullshit when economic problems were brewing these A grade rouges cum ruling politicians make these meaningless statements now it is completely for a different purpose . Your boys know their impending fate and aware that this will be their last chance to go on merry making,

    Suhada malli Wednesday, 10 April 2024 10:07 AM

    President Wickramasinghe, you very correctly said the country needs atleast 25 years to develop. Please share a 25 year plan with objectives, responsibilities and outcomes assigned to the 20 ministries. Then market that plan as your election campaign. You will have to thereafter elaborate "whats in it for me?" to satisfy the ignorant and innocent rural folk. 24% of our citizens are dependent on agriculture. So elaborate how smart agriculture, green energy and all your fancy dreams will benefit them. Basically share the desired outcomes. If you do that and thereafter even if you lose the election you can die as an honourable man who genuinely had a vision for the country. If not you too have a few skeletons in your closet such as batalanda, bond scam, volkwagon plant, gold bracelets, chewing gum so at least now be more sincere and be a statesman something which none of the other candidates are demonstrating.

    Ram Wednesday, 10 April 2024 10:33 AM

    Is President RW included in the travel restrictions?

    Waco Wednesday, 10 April 2024 11:30 AM

    All these time Ranil was Gallivanting all over the world.

    ROSH Wednesday, 10 April 2024 01:16 PM

    Excellent news. Unelected master debating president making correct decision on stopping other folks travel on mile high club with him as they now struggling walking. Unelected master debating president loves mile high club and spending the one night stand on his steamy double bed. He loves working hard on internal work non stop to develop my country

    Jude Fernando Wednesday, 10 April 2024 01:53 PM

    He made sure and did all his foreign trips well in advance. He did not even pause to think if these trips were useful or necessary.

    DJ Wednesday, 10 April 2024 02:05 PM

    The president should be the first to do that . He has wasted taxpayers money.

    Be Humble and Practice Prudence Wednesday, 10 April 2024 02:22 PM

    During elections, you are directing them to cut down overseas travel. So it should be cut down throughout the year as your expenditures are too high against backdrop of low income collections. Can’t go on taking loans and using it to live a lavish lifestyle forever. Taking huge delegations, going for unproductive meetings and trying to establish ties with countries not having significant economic potentials should STOP. Once the debts plus interest are paid up, only then you can ponder on these ventures.

    Buddhist Wednesday, 10 April 2024 04:02 PM

    Ranil is worried that Basil will pull the rug under him and move the Parliament to vote on going for a general election by a motion.

    Lanka putha Wednesday, 10 April 2024 04:18 PM

    This is only a temporary one. As soon as the elections is over they will be catching up with the travels may a few more extras on an expensive one with the wife and children. Maybe even the girl friends.

    Madupala Senthunath Wednesday, 10 April 2024 05:12 PM

    WUNDERPUL - after travelling around the world like a mad man!!

    UNP thinks it's candidate is best, other do not agree Wednesday, 10 April 2024 05:34 PM

    UNP speaks highly of Ranil, as they don't have anyone else with the political visibility. Having any debate involving Ranil for other presidential candidates is to make themselves be less, as Ranil the social lowlife is beneath them. After the election, Ranil needs to be stripped of all his retirement benefits to show future idiot Presidential aspirants coming through Parliament that they never had public mandate. Referendum to strip Ranil of the massive benefits, and instead give to the poor would see him lose hugely.

    Lk Wednesday, 10 April 2024 05:44 PM

    He and his team have some day dreams in politics. Unless all parties are united against NPP.. They are no where near to NPP in support. NPP has grassroots support ladies can understand politics well why can't men..

    senthivel K Wednesday, 10 April 2024 06:22 PM

    good attrempe to participating presidential election .appreciation.

    Balla Donkey Wednesday, 10 April 2024 09:30 PM

    What about he himself?


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