General Secretary of the United National Party Palitha Range Bandara says following the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as President, the world is once again engaging with Sri Lanka and nations have come forward to help the country.
Speaking to media in Colombo, the UNP General Secretary said last year was a tumultuous one for Sri Lanka and President Wickremesinghe was the only person who came forward to save the nation.
He said during political instability, no one was willing to come forward to take up the challenge.
Former State Minister Palitha Range Bandara noted that the opposition is always the alternative government which should’ve come forward when the former President and the government could not provide solutions to issues faced by the people.
He said the Leader of the Opposition and other leaders in the opposition gave excuses and ran away from responsibility.
He said last year, Sri Lanka had lengthy fuel queues, gas queues, power cuts, gas cylinder explosions while the agriculture sector and other industries had also collapsed.
Former State Minister Palitha Range Bandara said while the leaders of the opposition and the government were reluctant to come forward and address the issues of the country, the UNP Leader did not hesitate.
He said under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka has been transformed.
The former State Minister said international media outlets are not reporting on fuel and gas queues or political instability in Sri Lanka any more.
He said tourists are coming into the country in numbers while Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top 12 safest countries to visit.
The UNP General Secretary said the world was unwilling to engage or support the previous regime.
Former State Minister Palitha Range Bandara said now international aid is arriving while world leaders are also visiting and holding discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe to support the programme to overcome the current economic crisis.
He said it evident that world has a better outlook on Sri Lanka under President Wickremesinghe.
The UNP General Secretary added that although several issues have been solved, Sri Lanka economic crisis has not been solved altogether.
Palitha Range Bandara said therefore all factions without playing politics should support the President and his programme to strengthen economy.
He said he is confident Sri Lanka will be stabilized and the country will return to normalcy within the year, if all factions support the President.
