Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate, Namal Rajapaksa stated that Bangladesh Prime Minister had to step down after attempting to quell protests and protect the government, leading to the collapse of the State. In contrast, Sri Lanka managed to secure its State by strategically relinquishing power, he added.
Speaking at a Party gathering held at the Golden Crown Hotel in Ampitiya, Kandy, Rajapaksa highlighted the difference in outcomes between the two countries. He credited Ranil Wickremesinghe, who became President with the support of the SLPP, after the government collapsed, for stabilising the country’s political situation. However, Rajapaksa also expressed his disagreement with some of Wickremesinghe’s policies.
“In Bangladesh, even though Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won the last election the government eventually collapsed due to protests that led to violence and loss of lives. The Prime Minister had to resign, and the State fell. In contrast, when our country faced similar protests, our leader stepped down. By strategically relinquishing power, we were able to protect the State,” Rajapaksa explained.
He further commented on the SLPP’s success in three elections after its formation, emphasising that decisions were made based on the advice of experts in various fields. “Some of those decisions were successful, and some were not. However, I assure you that our government never intentionally caused injustice to the people.
Rajapaksa also criticised Wickremesinghe’s policies, related to privatisation and conditions agreed upon with the IMF. “We had issues with some of these policies and could not agree with the way certain State assets were sold. Additionally, we had concerns about how the President handled negotiations with trade unions,” he concluded.
He further criticised other political Parties for forming alliances with numerous groups, stating that these coalitions would fall apart after the election. “Today, some Parties are signing agreements with 30 or 40 different groups, but all of these will break apart after the election. but the SLPP will remain strong and unified in the same way after the Presidential election,” Rajapaksa concluded.
(Daily News)
