Senior UNP leader Ravi Karunanayake has apologized to all UNP supporters for a lack of attention paid to them, while maximum efforts were being taken during the good governance regime to revive the country.
The finance minister at the time, he said the result was that nearly three million supporters abstained at the last general election to hand a very bad defeat for the party.
He assured them that no injustice will be done to them in the future, when he delivered the welcome speech at the UNP’s special convention at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo on 21 October.
UNP is one big family
Karunanayake also extended an open invitation especially to all deserters to return to the party.
“The UNP is not a family party. Its value is that the entire party is one big family. That is why we are called the united national party,” he said.
We made, and will continue to make, the country
Every time the economy of the nation and the people suffered, the UNP uplifted them.
“The UNP is a party that makes the country. It was the party that introduced the Mahaweli, universities, ports, Mahapola, housing, trade and industrial zones and modern technology.”
Ranil proves himself as reviver of the country
After Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the prime minister, resuscitated the economy in 2015, he was again entrusted with the task of uplifting the country from bankruptcy in 2022, he said.
“We proved by action in 2015 that only the UNP can uplift the economy. As the finance minister, I implemented a special programme to strengthen the economy,” said Karunanayake.
A year ago, president Wickremesinghe started rebuilding the economy and the ‘lone elephant’ was able within two months to work with other parties in parliament.
“Everywhere, talk of the town is his excellent action.”
Real leader surfaces during a crisis
Even those who make boastful remarks accept him to be the only leader to work with a vision for the future, he said.
With a new constitution for the party, the UNP is going to create an extensive alliance for all to unite as one and to take the party on the path to victory in 2024 and form a government, he said.
Ranil will be the common candidate
Karunanayake appealed to all to help rectify shortcomings, awaken the dormant party supporters and extend support to take the country to development.
At the same time, the UNP should implement a mechanism to strengthen the supporters, said Karunanayake, adding that he would promise to give them priority under such a government.
The incumbent will be fielded as the common candidate at the 2024 presidential election, and the victory thus gained will take the country to speedy development, he added.
