Ranil at final rally :

Join me for a new Sri Lanka

E. Weeraperuma and Bharatha Malawaraarchchi

UNP leader and Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called on all Sri Lankans to join hands with him to create a new Sri Lanka where they all could live with dignity without fear and in brotherhood.

Addressing his final election rally in Maradana the Opposition Leader re-iterated his commitment to continue the peace process,eradicate poverty and end the unemployment problem. He observed that traditional thinking can not solve the burning problems in the country."We have to think new and move away from traditional methods in order to solve the problems faced by the people."

He said leaders have to take bold and drastic decisions to move the country forward."Leadership is assuming responsibility and I am ready to take that responsibility to serve you and the country."

He said everyone criticised and blamed him for singing the Cease-Fire Agreement(CFA) which ended a prolonged war in the country. "Opposition parties criticised me, other communities blamed me and even the LTTE blamed me. But today everyone has pledged to safeguard the CFA. If I was scared the war would have continued and the country would be in a crisis with many lives lost. I was not afraid to take the decision."

Wickremesinghe said he was branded as a traitor and mud thrown at him ." I am ready to take that blame on behalf of you in order to bring peace and move this country forward to ensure a better future for all."

He stressed that upon his victory, he would re-commence the peace process and initiate discussions with all the stake-holders the SLFP, other communities and the LTTE to reach a final solution. "I will never allow anyone to divide this country. I will not accept any solution that could compromise the territorial integrity of this country. I will protect the country's territorial integrity and create a united Sri Lanka. I will never betray my country."

He urged the people to rally round him to create a better future for all."Join with me without any fear. We can move this country forward and ensure a better future for all.Let's face all these challenges with confidence."