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Foundation for Peace and Prosperity Under 100 day program of the UNF

"We have just completed one of the bloodiest election campaigns in the history of this country. In spite of the wide spread violence that prevailed in many districts the United National Front headed by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe has defeated the PA in all but Moneragala District and that too is being contested as fraudulent.

Before the campaign was completed the leader of the UNF invited his supporters to ensure a peaceful transition of power to the winner and had advised his supporters to be ready to celebrate the victory with a traditional Kiribath ceremony inviting the PA supporters also to the occasion. This is an act of magnanimity and a display of the highest statesmanship by a leader of a political party in deep contrast to the actions of the leaders of the PA.

We greatly appreciate the forethought and foresight displayed by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe that has brought stability and peace to the warring atmosphere that prevailed until the announcement of the election results. This augurs well for the new government whose main task is to bring peace to the people and ease off the burdens thrown on the country due to mismanagement over the last seven years of PA rule", states the Eksath Sinhala Maha Sabha in a press release.

The release further states:

"Ranil Wickremesinghe as leader of the UNF has also spelled out a 100 day program for the new government which now awaits priority consideration. The main object of the program is to alleviate the immediate burdens placed on the people. This includes the following,

1. Reduction of the cost of living by improving the income levels of the people on increase of state sector productivity. Special benefits to pregnant mothers of poor Samurdhi families and families of those who have suffered on account of the war.

2. Revival of sick industries by identifying the causes and assisting them by inducting new technologies and financial support.

3. Improvement of state sector by eliminating politicisation.

4. Ensuring the fundamental rights of the people without discrimination.

5. Bring peace and establish democracy and equality by getting rid of politicisation at all levels.

6. Improve the productivity through better facilities offered to state employees

7. Let sports and cultural activities be freed from interference of political parties.

The whole country would approve of these fair and just proposals to bring about an immediate change in the political culture of the government and the parties. Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe has indicated that he would call upon each of the 225 of the new MPs to participate in this program. This is most welcome to brake away from the cycle of sectarianism that existed so far in this country.

Up to now, the people at grass root level were divided on party lines. The steps proposed by the leader of the UNF will certainly be a welcome change. He has gone beyond these proposals to ask his supporters at village level to invite the opposition groups on a day to be fixed after the swearing in of the new cabinet to a traditional Kiribath ceremony. This would be most welcome to bring about peace at the village level instead of acrimony and antagonism and would be the best solution to the perennial post election violence.

We believe that the goodwill that will be cultivated over the 100 day program will bring the government and opposition together which alone will help in the resolution of the north east ethnic problem. The Unity of the people at all levels is a necessity to solve the ethnic problem. Given the current scenario where the whole world is determined to end terrorism, the support base of the northern terrorist will certainly be cut off in the near future. The change in the attitude of the new government towards the opposition will bring about the necessary psychological atmosphere for the terrorist activities to be brought to an end. The next stage in pushing an accelerated rate of economic development will bring all the people together to usher in peace and prosperity to the whole country and eliminate terrorism once and for all.

We also see the constitutional problems to be encountered where the Executive President has threatened to use the powers conceded under the Constitution to interfere in the governance by the party opposed to her at the election. We see the need to amend the constitution to separate the executive powers of appointing the Cabinet and heading the cabinet from the President and also to see that the President is acting within the ambit of the law. The head of the Government should best be outside the day to day operation of the government which should be the responsibility of the Prime Minster and the Cabinet.

We take this opportunity to wish Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe and the New Government all the best in their tasks ahead."

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