– The stances created by parties like the People’s Liberation Front became an obstacle to the rapid economic development of the country
– To solve the economic crisis facing the country, the party should think anew and carry out a new program without hesitation
– Presidential announcement on Ask Ranil programme
President Ranil Wickremesinghe insisted that even though he was able to solve the economic crisis that no one could solve, if he abandons this program midway without making proper economic changes, the country’s economy will fall again.
Therefore, the President pointed out that people should think about their future in the presidential election.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe said this while answering the questions asked to President Ranil Wickramasinghe through social media on the Ask Ranil programme.
The President pointed out that although the rulers of the past 75 years did not do anything for the development of the country, it was not true, and the position created by parties like the People’s Liberation Front was an obstacle to the country’s rapid economic development while talking about the national economy.
The President said that to solve the economic crisis that the country is facing, the party should think anew and carry out a new program without fear.
Here are the questions put to the President and his answers:
Question – You have chosen the cylinder symbol to contest the presidential election this time. What is the reason for choosing the ‘cylinder’ instead of the ‘elephant’?
Answer – I have decided to run as an independent candidate in this year’s presidential election. A strong demand was also made to act independently of the party. We have to think politically anew accordingly.
I have decided to run as an independent candidate in this year’s presidential election as I have worked with several groups. An independent candidate can choose any symbol. The cylinder symbol is most appropriate at this point.
Question – There are people who believe you can strengthen this economy. But there are some who are reluctant to vote because of the support of Rajapaksa and Podujana Peramuna. What will you answer them?
Answer – Which Rajapaksa are you asking about? There are three candidates named Rajapaksa. There are three people namely Lakshman Rajapaksa, Vijayadasa Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa. Not one of them was with me.
Is the situation better today than in July 2022? Or worse? I got the support of Motu Party to lead the government. If that support had been ignored, we would have suffered without oil, fertilizer and fuel.
That government has come to an end. Now we go to the elections. They go their way. I’m going on my way. There are millions of Rajapakses in Sri Lanka. Some of them may vote for me. However, Podujana Peram has decided to contest the presidential election alone. We compete as a different side.
Question – Mr. President, despite having resources like Pulmottai Kaniyavalam, Trincomalee Port, Hambantota Airport, we have become debtors to the whole world. Various political parties are accusing the rulers of 75 years of not taking advantage of these?
Answer – It cannot be said that nothing has been done for 75 years. We have built many hydropower plants. Airports were built. Free education system was introduced. So how can they say that nothing has been done for 75 years. Many think that progress can only be made in the domestic economy. But we have to move towards an open economy.
It was not possible to achieve rapid economic development because parties like the People’s Liberation Front made a stand that they should be limited to the domestic economy only. No country has ever won like that. If you look at successful countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, you will understand the truth.
Question – You introduced various laws to prevent anti-corruption scams. But, it is said that only small frauds can be caught.
Answer – This will catch many frauds. When we came to power in 2015, several committees were appointed to investigate this. There was a division under the President. There was also a team under the Police Crime Investigation Branch.
We created another separate unit in the police. There was a Bribery Corruption Commission. There was an Anti-Corruption Secretariat in the Attorney General’s Department. However, there were also many legal problems. So we have introduced a new system.
Action should be taken against illegal income. The task forces should be trained for it.
Question: Artificial Intelligence is gaining popularity in various fields. Accordingly, what impact will artificial intelligence have on future politics and economics?
Answer: We need to explore how artificial intelligence can be used in our society and economy. It is likely to become an international weapon. The countries of the world are constantly investigating this. And laws are being prepared in this regard. This is what will be explored in the next decade. Artificial intelligence will make and destroy us. We are yet to produce a legal framework that covers what benefits artificial intelligence can bring and how it can be regulated. It must be said that such a modern perspective. All this will happen at the right time. However, I agree that artificial intelligence is needed. But there should be control.
Question:
What are your plans to make civil service efficient?
Ans: Within 10 years many steps have been taken for that purpose. There are more than enough employees in the government sector. But what happens if you tell them to go home? Because they have no other source of income. They will take to the streets and act like Bangladesh. So, you have to manage them somehow. They will spend their salary. It was not preserved. Because of this that money is added to our country’s economy. We need to think about how we can do this with them without affecting their future.
Our focus is on transforming the civil service into a modern civil service. There are also a large number of people at the grassroots level. Give them new projects. But in emergency situations like floods, the efficiency of public service is seen at high level. Accordingly, it should be understood that there are both strengths and weaknesses in government service.
Question: Finally, what is your message to the people of this country?
Answer: I took charge of this country when no one accepted it. Everyone said that the economic problem could not be solved. But today we have solved the economic problem and brought the country to a stable level. This journey cannot be completed with this. The economy of this country must undergo a new transformation. We must become an export economy. If we do not go to that level, the country will fall again. So, I tell people to think about the next few years and decide. I request the youth to think about the next 20 years and make a decision.
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