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UNP says protesters’ catchy slogans won’t do; only Ranil’s logical thinking will help solve country’s problems

Published

3 years ago

2022/04/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena (3rd from Left) with party supporters speaking to the media in Galle yesterday

By Piyasena Dissanayake

UNP Chairman and former minister Vajira Abeywardena yesterday said that those protesting against the government should not get their priorities mixed up if they wanted to achieve something meaningful.

Addressing a meeting held in Galle, Abeywardena said that there were two major slogans shouted by the protesters. “One slogan is calling the President to resign. The second main slogan is about the economic crisis. If the protesters and political parties, supporting them, fail to read the situation and decide what they really need it is impossible for them to achieve their goals,” the UNP Chairman said.

“There is a demand for an interim government. Suppose we form an interim government. Will that government be able to deliver diesel, petrol, kerosene, gas and medicine to the people? Will the forming of that interim government replenish the stocks in the markets so that people could buy whatever they want? There is another demand to do away with the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and enacting the 19th Amendment. Will such an act provide relief to the people? We must first identify the real problem.

“We have to pay around billion US dollars as loan repayment installments in July. If we cannot do so then we would be declared a bankrupt nation. Our leader Ranil Wickremesinghe explained in Parliament last week that this country needed national policies that should not be changed at least for the next 20 years to get out of the present crisis. We have only a single seat in Parliament and there are 224 other MPs, but none of them can come up with a better and feasible solution.

“The problem we are facing is not changing the President, Prime Minister, 20th Amendment or the 19th Amendment or forming the interim government. Such acts will not deliver petrol, diesel or other essential items to the market. What we need is a sound economic plan that can deliver them to the people,” the UNP Chairman said.

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Latest News

Voting commences to elect members for 339 local government authorities

Published

2 hours ago

2025/05/6

Priyan

Voting commenced at 7.00am to elect members to 339 local councils in the island.

Voting is being held at 13,579 polling centers and will end at 4.00 p.m.

Latest News

President holds talks with Vietnamese President

Published

2 hours ago

2025/05/6

Priyan

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayake during an official ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday (05) morning

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full military honours upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam. He also took part in the inspection of the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour and the playing of the national anthems of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The two leaders then introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding for bilateral discussions during which both nation assessed their progress, explored avenues for future collaboration and signed Memoranda of Understanding.

Vietnam and Sri Lanka have upheld robust and enduring ties since they established diplomatic relations in 1970. and this visit aims to strengthen political trust and foster effective collaboration across multiple sectors between the two nations.

Sri Lanka and Vietnam engage in annual bilateral trade, primarily in exports, totalling around US$200 million. Both nations aspire to elevate this trade to US$1 billion in the near future.

President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam and demonstrates a mutual resolve to enhance collaboration in traditional sectors while exploring new opportunities in digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence and connectivity.

[PMD]

Latest News

Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district

Published

2 hours ago

2025/05/6

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 05 May 2025, valid for 06 May 2025

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.