by Cyril Wimalasurendre

The United National Front (UNF) was formed with the co-operation of several political parties with the prime objective of developing the country so that future generations can reap the benefits of prosperity, Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Mahanayake of Malwatte, Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera yesterday.

“Politicians may come and go and governments may change but the country must continue to develop under a long term national policy”, he stressed after handing over a copy of the policy statement of the UNF to the prelate.

He said that politicians and even ministers could leave the government in office. Even a government could go out of office, but its successor should continue with the national policy in place, Wickremasinghe noted.

“The policy framework should not change whatever party or alliance that is returned to power, he said.

He pointed out that governments changed even in most developed countries like the USA but the national policy did not change. That is the secret behind the progress of those countries.

It is to the advantage of the country that several political parties have now joined hands to prepare and approve a common policy to be placed before the people, the UNP leader noted.

He sought the blessings of the prelates to the newly formed Alliance.

Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake thera of Malwatta conferring his blessings on the future programs of the UNF said that Sri Lanka needed patriots for the progress of the country.

The prelate said that the present system of government with an Executive President, Provincial Councils, Pradeshiya Sabhas and the preferential system of election is unsuitable for the country.

He said that the existing system of elections and the many elected bodies are a bane for the progress of the nation. The system is enormously costly and a burden because the country cannot afford such a large number of institutions.

“Politicians should not give the people false promises”.

Politicians had given enough and more false pledges to come to power, the prelate said, recalling the promise of “getting rice from the moon” and the “eight pounds of cereal” promised by political party leaders at one time.

The prelate said further that an Alliances of political parties is not something new to Sri Lanka and many other countries, but some Alliances failed after sometime.

Present on the occasion were UNP deputy leader of Karu Jayasuriya, SLMP MP Mangala Samaraweera, SLMC leader Ruaff Hakeem and leaders of several other political parties.

The UNP leader also called on Anunayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Galagama Sri Attadassi Thero, the Secretary of the Chapter and presented a copy of the policy statement to him.

After paying homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, the UNP leader, accompanied by the leaders of the other political parties of the Alliance offered a golden casket to the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

It was received by the Nayake Thero in charge of the Thevava (Service) to the Tooth Relic, Ven. Tibbatuwawe Medankara Thero.

A copy of the policy statement was also presented to Fr. Milroy Fonseka at the Mulgampola Church. The leaders of the Alliance later participated in poojas and prayers at the Pulleyar Kovil at Katukelle and the Meera Maccam Mosque.

The leaders were received at the Sri Dalada Maligawa by Diyavadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela and on behalf of the supporters of Kandy by UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, Chief UNP Organiser of Kandy Kesara D. Senanayake and Kandy Mayor L. B. Aluwihare.

The UNF leaders and supporters arrived in Kandy in a motorcade from Colombo on Friday (13) afternoon.