Courtesy  Hiru News

Ninety-two Members of Parliament have expressed their unwavering for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election, pledging to back him to secure his victory.

This was revealed by the President’s Media Division.

The announcement was made during a meeting of the ruling party, which is currently taking place at the President’s Secretariat, chaired by President Wickremesinghe himself.

Meanwhile earlier in the day, State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, took to “X”(formerly Twitter) to affirm his commitment to Wickremesinghe. Tennakoon emphasized his support for the President, irrespective of the SLPP Politburo’s decisions. He praised Wickremesinghe for his leadership during a critical period, stating, “Immaterial of the decision made by the political bureau of SLPP, together with the majority of parliamentary members, I will continue to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election, who rescued the country at the most crucial time.

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe also voiced his endorsement on the same platform, highlighting the President’s significant achievements in navigating the country through severe crises. Semasinghe remarked, “Under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership, Sri Lanka has made significant strides in overcoming the most severe crises in history. His clear and decisive leadership has guided the nation toward stability and growth. To prevent a return to such challenging times, it is essential to continue supporting President Wickremesinghe’s vision and initiatives. We need to protect the country before our political views. Together, we can build a prosperous future for our country.

State Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Rohana Dissanayake, remarked,”The economic crisis in 2022 affected everyone, and no leader stepped forward to alleviate the suffering. However, the current President took action to help the people despite holding only one Parliamentary seat. Thanks to his measures, the country’s economy is now recovering. Just as Mahinda Rajapaksa saved the country from terrorism, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has rescued it from economic turmoil.

Therefore, anyone who prioritizes the country’s welfare over politics will support President Ranil Wickremesinghe. With the support of the people of Matale, I have decided to fulfill my duty by backing President Ranil Wickremesinghe in this election.

It should be noted that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is a party rooted at the village level. I am actively representing the SLPP in the Matale District. As long as I have the support of the people, I will continue to back the President. If that support wanes, I will step down.

Great leaders emerge during challenging times. President Ranil Wickremesinghe demonstrated strong leadership by guiding the country through the recent economic crisis. The country’s current progress is a result of his effective economic management policies.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who led Britain to victory in World War II in 1945, was defeated in the subsequent British General Election. Mr. Clement Attlee, who had strengthened the country economically during the war, then, became Prime Minister. A similar situation seems to be unfolding in Sri Lanka, as if history is repeating itself.

In the realm of sports, the current government has made significant strides over the past two years to develop the sport sector in Sri Lanka. An ombudsman has been appointed for sports, and arrangements have been made to provide all necessary facilities to athletes heading to this year’s Olympics. Additionally, both hockey stadiums in Sri Lanka have been renovated and are set to reopen on the 15th of next month. The President’s commitment to allocating financial resources for sports development, even during economic difficulties, is greatly appreciated.