President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka will work in a planned way to build a powerful, rich and strong country by 2048.
The President emphasised that a targeted programme will be implemented to reach this target.
He was addressing the United National Party’s 76th Anniversary yesterday at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. ‘Lets Build Together’ was the theme of the anniversary held under the patronage of UNP Party Leader President Wickremesinghe.
The President said that to make Sri Lanka an economically strong and rich country in 2048, a comforting programme will be implemented step by step in five years.
He also said that the necessary foundation will be laid for this strong programme with the active participation of all sectors.
According to him, the Independence Day of 2048 will be celebrated in an economically strong country. Attention has been drawn on several sectors to be utilised for achieving economic prosperity such as tourism, agriculture technology and many more Speaking on the agriculture sector development measures, the President said that moves have already been taken to provide farmers with fertilizer, seeds and fuel from this Maha season.
An agriculture revolution will be carried out countrywide to achieve food safety as establishing food safety is among the prime concern of the Government.
The President said that democracy will be further strengthened. Accordingly, more MPs will be given responsibilities for that. He also mentioned that the responsibilities of COPE and COPA committees will be given to the Opposition to strengthen parliamentary democracy.
“A national assembly will be established to oversee financial affairs of the country while empowering Parliament to look into the financial activities of the country. The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be abolished and another Bill will be presented instead. A truth-seeking commission will also be established,” added the President.
He also said that the 22 amendment to the Constitution will be brought to further strengthen the parliamentary democracy.
The President also added that necessary Bills will be introduced to confirm the housing rights of the residents of the flats. The President said that the IMF will release the first installment in future. Besides, Sri Lanka will go for negotiations with the friendly countries, which assisting the country financially such as China, Japan and India.
It is also noteworthy that this is the first UNP anniversary following President Wickremesinghe’s assumption of the presidency.
All party leaders representing Parliament and others were invited to join the UNP anniversary celebrations and many of them, including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had attended the event.
EPDP leader Fisheries and Water Resources Minister Douglas Devananda, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna General Secretary Parliamentarian Sagara Kariyawasam, Muslim Congress leader SJB Parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem, All Ceylon Muslim Congress Leader and SJB Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen, Ali Sabri Rahim of the National Muslim Alliance, Member of Parliament for the Badulla District of SJB Member Arvinda Kumar, Leader of the People’s Congress A.L.M. Ataullah and several others representing other parties joined the celebrations at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Lands and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando and Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara were also present.
The Sugathadasa Stadium was packed to capacity with people representing every corner of the country.
The anniversary ceremony commenced with all the pomp and pageantry and Party Leader and President Ranil Wickremesinghe placing a garland on the statue of the party’s Founder D.S. Senanayake and other former leaders.
Floral tributes were placed at the statue of Dudley Senanayake by the Party Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene.
Floral tributes were placed at statue of Sir John Kotelawala by Deputy Leader of the Party Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, floral tributes were laid at the statue of J.R. Jayewardena by the United National Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, floral tributes were placed at the statue of R. Premadasa by MP Vajira Abeywardena, and floral tributes were placed at the statue of D.B. Wijetunga by Senior Advisor to the President Sagala Ratnayake.
Demonstrating the value of national unity, the national anthem was sung in both Sinhala and Tamil languages and a series of videos showcasing the pride of the party was shown. Musical performances showcasing local culture added colour to the anniversary celebrations.
UNP Deputy Leader and Senior Adviser to the President Ruwan Wijewardene, United National Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, UNP Chairman and Member of Parliament Vajira Abeywardena, National Organiser and President’s Senior Adviser and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, Deputy Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam former Ministers John Amaratunga, Ravi Karunanayake, Navin Dissanayake, Daya Gamage, D.M. Swaminathan and Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake attended the event.
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