Ranil says what is needed is common consensus and not national goverment

By Chaminda Silva

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declared on Sunday that the need of the hour was to unite all potent forces to reach a common consensus to save the country from the present crisis.

 Addressing a UNP rally at Kirulapone, Wickremesinghe said: “There needs to be a united effort to reach an agreement to address the economic issue. A National Government will not work in the current circumstances.”

 He said that there was a growing public displeasure against politicians as all political parties are responsible for the present crisis. “We must find solutions to this crisis. People wonder whether the political leaders alone could find solutions for the problems they are confronted with. There is one clear observation. The government is divided and the Opposition is as well. Everybody goes before the media and blames the others for the problems. In the meantime people suffer because of the crisis situation. It is that crisis situation which we should address,” Wickremesinghe said.

He warned that if Sri Lanka does not address the current crisis soon then it will lead to a situation similar to that of Greece.

 “Greece faced a sovereign debt crisis in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2007–2008. It reached the populace through a series of sudden reforms and austerity measures that led to impoverishment and loss of income and property, as well as a small-scale humanitarian crisis,” he said.

“Sri Lanka could be the next Greece, therefore immediate efforts must be taken to save the country,” he said.

 Assistant Leader of the UNP Akil Viraj Kariyawasam, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, National Organiser Sagala Ratnayake, Colombo East organiser Titus Perera and Chairman of the National Youth Front Shehara Herath also addressed the rally.