UNP urges agreement on policies to remain in place for 25 years

UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena has declared that political parties represented in parliament should agree on a set of polices that should remain unchanged for a period of 25 years.A statement issued by the UNP quoted UNP National List MP Abeywardena as having told the media that a system should be in place to prevent overnight change of government policies pertaining to various subjects.

He emphasized that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had political experience and the expertise to revive the bankrupt economy.Abeywardena recently re-entered parliament after the House elected Wickremesinghe on July 20 to complete the remainder of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term. Rajapaksa resigned on July 14 after having fled the country in the wake of violent protests against rising cost of living and unprecedented shortage of all essentials.

MP Abeywardena said that relevant clauses in the Constitution should be appropriately changed to address the aspirations of the people. Referring to specific sections in the Constitution, the former UNP Minister said that ‘Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties’ need to be changed. The top UNP official said that the President expected the support of at least 175 members of the parliament for his endeavors meant to revive the economy.

Dismissing accusations that the country had been on a wrong path since independence, he said that the UNP opened the economy following 1977 general election thereby paved the way for development. The MP urged the public to be patient as the President was making efforts to provide them relief.