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| Sunday, 13 January 2002 |
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'Peace with unity' by Ariyaratne Ganegoda Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday reiterated his United National Front government's commitment to ending the ethnic conflict while preserving the territorial integrity of the country. Addressing, as party leader, the UNP's 47th annual convention at the Town Hall, Colombo yesterday, the Prime Minister said the UNF Government would usher in an era of peace and prosperity ending the ethnic strife begun in 1983. "I will bring about a settlement of the problem which is acceptable to every citizen of this country," he declared. "The road to peace and national harmony is not easy. We have to go a long way to achieve peace. But we cannot run fast. It is a difficult path to pass and it is slippery. The road is full of damages and pot holes, and we are passing through this difficult and arduous thoroughfare to bring about peace and harmony to our motherland without dividing the country into pieces", Prime Minister said. Addressing a large gathering of party members at the 47th UNP Convention, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that the UNP was just a "name board" at the time he took the leadership. Now he had brought it into power with a resounding victory at the December 5 General Election. Colombo Mayor Omar Kamil received UNP leader on his arrival and conducted him to the venue where the members were present to hear him as the Prime Minister elected by the people of this country. The Maha Sangha and other religious dignitaries were present at the commencement which included the garlanding the photograph of late Gamini Athukorale, the UNP Assistant Leader and Minister of Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation by UNP Secretary General Senarath Kapukotuwa and observance of silence in remembrance of the late party men and women. UNP Secretary General Senarath Kapukotuwa read out the official announcement calling the convention and the members present unanimously adopted five resolutions presented at the convention. Basing his entire speech to what the government intend doing to bring about a lasting solution to the war tone country, Prime Minister blamed those who added fuel to fire of communal hatred in the late '80s, during the regime of President J. R. Jayewardene. "I would not have to face the problem of this magnanimity if those people who set fire in 1987 supported the then government when the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Pact was brought. But today I have no option but tread this path knowing well that there are some will oppose or have different views about the road I have chosen to tread with a view to achieve peace. It is the intention of the government to seek everyone's view in this regard and arrive at a solution acceptable to all. But I assure you I will not allow anybody to set fire to the country once again under the pretext of protest to the path we have taken, he told the massive gathering. Making reference to the economic situation in the country Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that the economy of the country has reached the lowest ebbs since independence. "The economy reached minus 6 point last year. We have the weakest economy in the whole of South Asia. I say that every step will be taken to remedy this situation and bring about an economic situation where everyone will have enough money to meet the life situations and employment opportunities to those unemployed. We will also ensure that at the end of term of our government that there will be a stronger democracy where fundamental rights are respected and everyone enjoying the fruits of freedom, with the implementation of the independent commissions and a strong parliament in operation", he said. Referring to the Sri Lanka's Constitution Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that people are supreme and those who come to power should work for the benefit of all. "According to our Constitution the legislative and executive power are distributed to the central government and to the Provincial Councils. This will not be changed. What will happen is that more powers will be given to local bodies. In such a situation what is needed to strengthen the party as it is the core of power. Reminding those present to what he had said at the 1994 UNP Convention, said that he had kept his words. "I promised you at the 1994 UNP Convention, that we would topple the PA government, and I have done that and have brought the UNP to its glorious position, once again. I have formed the United National Front joining hands with other parties with the approval of everyone present here, he said. And I with a sense of modest pride announce this UNP 47th Convention that I have led the UNF to victory at the General Election and have gained the power to rule the country", he said. He told the members that they were a tower of strength to him in bringing the party to the present position was not an easy task and he had to face humiliation and obstacles at every attempt he made during the past seven years. He also said that his government intend serving everyone irrespective of his or her political ideology. We said that when we come to power we will serve everyone. We do not want it to be limited to mere words but a reality which everyone will feel. "There is no room for any type of divisions and I have formed such a government where everyone's right is respected", he said. Power and Energy Minister and the Deputy Leader of UNP Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya, UNP Deputy Leader D. M. Swaminathan, SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem, Ministers S. B. Dissanayake, CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman, Upcountry People's Front Leader P. Chandrasekaran, Imthiasz Bakeer Markar, Kabir Haseem and Mrs. Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake, Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranayake, Chandra Bandara, Gayantha Karunatilleke, Ms. Chitra Mantilleke, General Secretary LEWU Raja Senevirathne, Ambagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha President M. Ravindran, Joint Secretaries Jathika Yovun Peramuna Sanjeewa Seneviratne and Miss Rashmi Samaranayake also spoke. |
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