~

Don’t underestimate your enemies, be most vigilant ; Our lives are at stake : President at 69 th convention of UNP

(Lanka-e-News -06.Sep.2015, 11.30PM) SLFP president Maithripala Sirisena  was invited to the 69 th UNP convention as the chief guest marking the opening of   a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s  political history. 

It cannot be forgotten, because Maithripala Sirisena was elevated by the UNP to the post of president of the country, that he became the president of the SLFP party.

No matter what, this latest  historic dramatic turn of events   is being reckoned as the  beginning of  a new chapter in civilized conciliatory politics in SL replacing politics of bitterness and hatred.

All UNP leaders participated in this convention . In addition the leaders of parties who worked conjointly with the UNP at the last elections for UNP victory were also present. Among them were, Champika Ranawake, Mano Ganeshan, Rauf Hakeem, Badurdeen, Digambaran, Arjuna Ranatunge  and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka who occupied the front rows.

President Maithripala Sirisena speaking on the occasion said, this journey to change  the pattern of the previous reign, is no bed of roses, and therefore all measures must be taken to move ahead undeterred and undaunted crushing the efforts that are being made  to reverse the journey. The president also warned not to underestimate the enemy, and to be vigilant throughout the 24 hours of the day.

It is well for us not to  forget and be mindful that there are dangers ahead always  for the government and those holding posts under it. Sometimes those dangers can cause even harm to your lives  and ours. Hence our future journey is not easy. It is  an arduous one, president pinpointed.

We must change the pattern of the previous reign while crushing any  efforts made to reverse our  progress. With transparency and honesty we must meet the challenges. Free from corruption and malpractices,  we must serve  the people and look  after their welfare. With the experience gained from the war, we must move forward on our onward journey together with all races, Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher with camaraderie sans  religious differences .Under no circumstances should you underestimate your enemies. They should not be allowed to accomplish  their aims. During the whole 24 hours of the day , be watchful and vigilant as regards your enemies, the president exhorted.

The president also went on to emphasize  how happy he is to form a government with Ranil Wickremesinghe and steer forward, while adding , he is extremely grateful to the P.M. and the UNP for the sacrifices they made to make  him  the president of the country, and that he will never forget that  any day. He made these enunciations letting bygones  be bygones.

On the 5 th of August the final day of presidential election campaign, he attended a number of rallies including those at  Embilipitiya, Kalutara and Moratuwa, and returned home. The final rally was organized at Maradana. That day he was at home after addressing all the other rallies, when the security personnel and his driver said, based on security grounds, they are not going to take him to the Maradana rally, and went away leaving him alone, president Maithripala related. 

At that moment, Ranil Wickremesinghe phoned me and said, ‘we are waiting until you arrive.’ The president revealed how he explained to Ranil that he is not in a position to come  for the Maradana rally because the driver and the security personnel are  gone.

The P.M. had then told him, nobody is necessary , and he will come and fetch him. Within some minutes he arrived at his residence when Ravi Karunanayake M.P. also came there to his house, the president disclosed.

Thereafter all of them went for the Maradana rally . Ranil Wickremesinghe after taking him on stage , went into the  midst of the massive crowds and yelled out with raised hands mingling with  the crowd ‘there are no threats to you at our meeting,’ Maithripala recalled.

On that day enthusiastic Ranil Wickremesinghe when mingling with the crowd with raised hands  looked like  a 20 to 25 years old youth, the president recounted.

Until 22 nd November 2014, the present P.M. and himself did not even for a moment have any discussions  regarding his contesting the presidential elections as a common candidate, the president pointed out.

The president then went on to give details of another curious incident :

When he was in his minister’s seat in parliament before becoming the president, Ranil Wickremesinghe made a signal to him with his eye and said ‘let us go.’ That invitation was to go to the residence of Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike , and was to hold discusions regarding the presidential elections that was in the offing then.

Accordingly, both he and Ranil got on to their vehicles, and after just passing the pokuna in front of the parliament, a chopper appeared  .If there was a few minutes delay, the individual who came in the chopper would have stopped their journey.
 
In any case even if there was a delay of several hours, based on the decision taken, ‘we would have gone somehow , and none could  have obstructed us,’ the president stated.

The president who went on to explain at length as aforenoted  about Ranil Wickremesinghe ‘s moves  when the presidential elections was getting near , said , the support specially the UNP party supporters extended to him to make him the president will remain indelible in his memory .

Prime minister too spoke on the occasion. His speech is reported elsewhere here.

Photos - courtesy Lankadeepa.

---------------------------
by     (2015-09-06 18:42:16)

We are unable to continue LeN without your kind donation.

Leave a Reply

  0 discussion on this news

News Categories

    Corruption

    Defence News

    Economy

    Ethnic Issue in Sri Lanka

    Features

    Fine Art

    General News

    Media Suppression

    more

Links