Political

Two major political parties must work together to develop the country

PRELATE of Malwatta Chapter Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thera emphasized the importance of the two major political parties in the country working together for the development of the country.

"It is also the wish of Norwegian Government. It is the wish of the people of this country at large. It is also the wish of the International community which come to our help to rebuild the country.

If the parties concerned do not wish to listen to us at least let them listen to the international community as it is the duty and responsibility of the Opposition to join hands with the Government and work together", the Maha Nayake Thera said, receiving UNP MP Keheliya Rambukwella who has been appointed as the UNP organiser for Kandy District.

UNP MP Rambukwella on Saturday, paid a visit to the Maha Nayaka Thera to get the blessings of the Maha Sanga.

"Time and again we have spoken about the importance of the two major political parties working together for the good of the country. But it is sad that we have not seen any progress so far in this aspect. Tsunami has created a golden opportunity to work together", the Thera added.

Speaking further the Maha Nayaka Thera said that even the countries like United States of America work in collaboration with the Opposition to develop their countries. We should follow the good examples set by them.

"Our National problem keeps on dragging because there is no unity and because of our failure to work together. We see that the two major political parties here almost have identical policies and hence there are no obstacles for them to work together", the Maha Nayaka Thera observed.

The Prelate of the Malwatta said that we need to change the work-pattern of the political parties. What we so far have experienced is that with the change of power good work done by the outgoing party ends and the party which takes office does not continue with the good work initiated by the outgoing political power. This we need to change", the Thera said.

Chairman of the Kandy district UNP Bala Mandalaya and the Kandy district MP Keheliya Rambukwella conceded the view expressed by the Maha Nayaka Thera that there is no difference of the policies of both the UNP and the SLFP, the two major political parties in the country and hence working together was not that difficult.

"We have presented an action plan to develop the country within 15 years. What the people of this country needs today is not a private agenda but a common agenda and we have to work towards that", he said.