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by Rodney Martinesz in Wariyapola

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the economy had collapsed not because of any global crisis but due to gross inefficiency of the Government.

The Katunayake Airport was attacked due to poor security and the garment factories have closed down due to the failure to get the taxes removed.

Mr. Wickremesinghe made this comment while addressing an election propaganda rally in Wariyapola on Saturday.

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe charged that attempts are being made to forge his signature onto a spurious document to indicate he had a secret pact with the LTTE.

He said this was part of the ongoing mud slinging campaign by the Government which had no issues to place before the people at this election.

"I am not going to answer Chandrika but would like to ask her what is her plan to pull the country out of the present mess".

If she does not state her plans but carry on with her present tactics one can only feel that she has no plans for the country but is only keen in protecting the Walawwa and the feudalist system.

Such Governments deserve to be swept out by the people.

"I am not going to retaliate (to the government's charges). I only ask the President to tell us her plans for the country".

Mr. Wickremesinghe referring to the government charges of an Ali-Koti haula said there was no such pact and that the UNP was against the division of the country". However we are willing to enter into a negotiated settlement".

"The Chandrika Government asked us if we were willing to go for negotiations. I told them that that was the job of the government. The UNP was only a political party, he said.

"As a political party UNP has so far had no talks with the LTTE but when they form the next government this will be done he said adding that even the President had stressed the need for talks in her BBC interview.

He said while the new government is holding talks steps would be taken to remove the current surcharges imposed on the Port and Airport, because he will then be able to convince the international community of the steps to restore peace and security in the country.

He would also be dispatching high powered delegations to the USA and Europe to persuade them to remove the levies on our garments so that factories will not close down as a result of the multi-fibre agreement.

The UNP leader said he would offer financial assistance for the revival of tourism and grant bank loans to industries which had collapsed to re-start business so that there would be no loss of employment.

He said measures would be taken to resolve the present power crisis within the first 100 days of the new government.

The military will be free from political meddling and professionals entrusted with the task of prosecuting the war.

But first of all, the country has to be put back on its feet and the first three months of the new government will be devoted towards this task.

This will include the restoration of discipline beginning with Members of Parliament who will be compelled to follow a work ethic. Those who fail to pull their weight would be asked to go home, the UNP leader warned.

The enthronement of the rule of law is another priority where the police will be given a free hand under the new Independent Police Commission."

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