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Duty of all parties to support Govt's endeavour Tyronne

by L. B. Wijayasiri in Kandy

Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando told the media in Kandy that it was with the hope of finding a lasting solution to the ethnic problem and pulling the country out of the current economic plight that the people had given a clear mandate to the UNP. Therefore, it is the duty of the main opposition in Parliament to extend their support to the government in achieving these targets.

Minister Fernando was addressing the media after visiting the Dalada Maligawa, and paying homage to he Sacred Tooth Relic. He also called on Most Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Mahanayaka Thera of the Malwatte Chapter and Most Ven. Galagama Atthadassi Anunayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter and received their blessings on Thursday.

Minister Fernando said that what the main opposition should do at a crucial time like this was not to make efforts to overthrow the government but to extend their support to the government's endeavour to save the country from the crisis situation. A lasting and effective solution to the national issue should be arrived through consensus with the participation of all parties concerned.

He said on their recent official tour to India Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had the opportunity of meeting the President, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Finance and Trade Ministers and two former Prime Ministers. They also met other Indian political leaders and were able to strengthen the mutual relations between the two countries. The Indian Government agreed to extend their support to bring about peace and develop the country's economy he added.

It was necessary to take steps to ensure the increase of foreign investment by are hundred percent. At the time the PA came to power in 1994, the country's economic growth was 6 per cent, but, it had by now declined to minus 0.6 per cent. In order to save the country from that grave economic crisis situation, it was necessary to build confidence in the business community. The situation prevalent today was different from what existed in 1977. Today countries like India, Vietnam and Thailand were wooing tourists.

Minister Fernando said that the PA government from 1994 followed the same foreign policy that was adopted by the UNP government. The new government's endeavour was to strengthen the country's economy and improve the living conditions of the people and for that we must develop the tourist industry. 

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