Making a Special Statement in Parliament yesterday (22) Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for solidarity between all political parties and other activist groups to resolve the economic crisis that the country is presently facing. Wickremesinghe said the floor is open for anyone who is willing to provide better solutions to the country’s present predicament.
He also requested not to add insult to injury on his attempts to keep the public posted on the developments of managing the crisis. Some have criticized my attempts saying “Did he accept the Premiership to merely tell us the hardships faced by the country?”, he said. However, many others are also grateful that we are telling them the whole truth and they have come forward to present various proposals that would perhaps help us overcome these issues, the Premier observed.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe noted, “no matter which of these two groups you belong to, I call on you to come together as one country and join in the nation’s rebuilding process to see it through these dark times. Let us all embark on this journey together. Only by doing this will we be able to ensure the country’s recovery.”
The Prime Minister also pointed out that the country is now facing a far more serious situation beyond the mere shortages of fuel, gas, electricity and food. “Our economy has faced a complete collapse. That is the most serious issue before us today. These issues can only be resolved through the reviving of the Sri Lankan economy.”
The Prime Minister went on to say that the Government is working towards ensuring food security and a plan has been formulated to provide farmers with necessary fertilizer for the next cultivation season.
He also said measures will be taken to import rice under an Indian Credit Line and issue stocks to the local market in order to ensure price controls, which will provide some relief to consumers.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also extended his gratitude to the SJB and the NPP for pledging to take lead in establishing agricultural farms in the country without State aid. He requested the leaders of both parties to discuss any land needs for this endeavour, as Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has allocated a large amount of unused reserve land belonging to the Railway Department for agricultural purposes.
Concluding his statement Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said if all groups can set aside differences for a short while and only think of the country at this juncture, I believe that we will be able to safeguard our Motherland from this impending disaster.
“The flock of quails were only able to escape the hunter’s net by flying away together with the trap set for them. If the quails merely resorted to blaming the hunter, they would have all been trapped and met a tragic fate. Therefore, let us escape this economic trap. Let us work together to overcome these challenges.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and MP Dayasiri Jayasekara crossed swords in Parliament yesterday (22) regarding lawyer Nagananda Kodithuwakku’s allegation on a misdeed related to a recent gas purchase deal. Denying the allegation, the Premier requested not to use the matter to sling mud at him. Taking a jab at the Kurunegala District SLFP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara who quoted Nagananda, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Panduwasnuwara is in fact “a place of unfulfilled hopes”. After King Vijaya, King Panduvasadeva of Panduwasnuwara thought he could rule the whole country but King Pandukabhaya from Anuradhapura took hold of the power instead.
The limelight was on Dhammika Perera yesterday (22) as he was sworn in as a Parliamentarian following the resignation of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Speaking to the media outside the Chamber, Perera said that he has handed over his tax clearance certificates and assets and liabilities report to the Speaker.
MP Wimal Weerawansa making a Special Statement in Parliament yesterday (22) said that the President should tender an apology to the Russian Government for the mishap that took place regarding a Russian flight. Weerawansa also said the ban on Russia’s Aeroflot flight seemed to have worked out on “Peacock-notes”. Weerawansa criticized the Government for tying the country down to the IMF and not seeking Russian assistance to recover from the country’s fuel crisis. Weerawansa alleged that the IMF talks are being misused as a means to an end by external political powers.
Commenting on the long continued Galle Face Occupation, Weerawansa said initially the protest was an organic one just like “organic cultivation.” Now it has turned into a worst place like “chemical-farming” or more like a drug users’ spot, he added.
Weerawansa alleged that the Galle Face protestors blocked all the entrances to the Finance Ministry when the IMF team arrived for discussions. Weerawansa said, “I don’t know what the Government is waiting for” as “the Galle Face protest has fallen into the hands of rogues who want anarchism to prevail.” Weerawansa also said that he does not mean any disrespect to the protestors who genuinely want to get tne country out of this mess.
On a side note, all of these special statements were made in the absence of a majority of the Opposition Parliamentarians due to the Opposition’s decision to boycott the House this week. The House is to sit again on July 4, Monday, for a Special Sitting where only Oral Questions would be considered.
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