Economy has flourished every time UNP was in power - Karu

Minister Karu Jayasuriya says that the decision of the voters at the coming parliamentary election will determine the destiny of the country and future of the people, and therefore urged voters to act prudently and identify the need of the hour.

He stated that the party that wins should be able to implement constitutional reforms, a program for economic development, educational reforms, a process of eliminating corruption and fulfill the aspirations of the people to live as free citizens. 

“It should be also a party that could win the confidence and support of the large majority of the citizenry,” Jayasuriya said in a statement. 

The Minister of Public Administration, Local Government and Democratic Governance stressed that at this juncture, the best group that should be elected is the United National Front for Good Governance.

It would be seen that every time the UNP was in power the economy had flourished with the input of large scale local and foreign investments and initiation of development projects, he said.  

“Therefore, what needs to be done at this juncture is to ensure victory to the United National Front which is experienced, geared to face the present day challenges and capable of winning both local and international support.”  

“We should not be misguided by a mirage seen a long distance away,” Jayasuriya said.

“In this decisive hour we have to act prudently and identify the need of the hour,” he said, adding, “Intelligence should take precedence over emotions.” 

Full Statement Issued by Karu Jayasuriya:

The decision of the voters at the next election will determine the destiny of the country and future of the people. The party that wins should be able to implement constitutional reforms, a program for economic development, educational reforms, a process of eliminating corruption and fulfill the aspirations of the people to live as free citizens. It should be also a party that could win the confidence and support of the large majority of the citizenry. At this juncture, the best group that should be elected is the United National Front for Good Governance. Several political parties and many civil society organizations have aligned themselves with the Front for Good Governance led by the United National Party which has the largest vote base as a single political party. It is interesting to note that several political parties representing Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and many other ethnic groups together with civil society activists have come forward to support the Front for Good Governance. Many groups with different opinions who earlier had engaged in ideological disputes in the past with the UNP, in common interest of the country have agreed to join hands in order to continue with the change effected by the people on the 8th of January.

Most Venerable Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter recently had stated that the main theme of the election campaign of Kurunegala District Candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa is based on racism. Most Reverend Cardinal also had emphasized the fact that the people should reject the racist politics. They believe that in the present day context the best political program for the country is presented by the United National Front for Good Governance. Therefore, the people should not get lured into unachievable and unworkable concepts and programs, however much attractive those might be. Therefore, on the 17th of August, people should take the correct decision.

The United National Front has formulated a practical program – Five Point Plan - to develop the country. During the period of last six months an environment had been created for the people of all communities to live without fear. The state media is now open for free expression of different opinions. As promised, the salaries of public sector employees were increased and added to the basic salary. The present government, demonstrated by action, how the political power could be utilized for the development of the country and for the common wellbeing of the people.

The country’s image which had been tarnished in the international arena has now been re-established. A number of large foreign investment projects have already been initiated. Many more foreign investors and financial institutions, funding development projects, look forward to working with an administration of the United National Front Government for Good Governance.

It would be seen that every time the UNP was in power the economy had flourished with the input of large scale local and foreign investments and initiation of development projects.  Therefore, what needs to be done at this juncture is to ensure victory to the United National Front which is experienced, geared to face the present day challenges and capable of winning both local and international support.  

We should not be misguided by a mirage seen a long distance away. As President Maithripala Sirisena has stated, at this moment the country needs a political structure which ensures political stability and a durable policy framework.  A decent political culture, a healthy economy with upgraded living standard should feature within this structure and it is imperative that it should be recognised internationally through which our country could earn goodwill and friendship.  

The United National Front is the only political party which has a program to achieve these objectives and it is Ranil Wickremesinghe who could provide the leadership for the implementation of the program who is endowed with intellect, experience and international recognition.  In this decisive hour we have to act prudently and identify the need of the hour.  Intelligence should take precedence over emotions.