October 21 with the aim of working with allies to move the country forward.
He said this while speaking at a press conference held at the United National Party headquarters in Sirikotha yesterday (18). Abeywardena expressed the following views as well:
“UNP has overcome various challenges in this country. We achieved National Independence in 1948 through national unity. We did not have a freedom struggle. We achieved National Independence by bringing together all the National leaders and setting forth our demand before the international community. Now, in order to win a free economy, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the current leader of the UNP, invites all communities and political parties to come together to agree on a national policy.
“Just as we were unable to achieve national independence until we were divided, we have failed to achieve national and economic independence as well. After gaining Independence, the country had to face the worst possible situation. All political parties have contributed to the bankruptcy of the country.
“The youth launched a struggle in Sri Lanka. The country was destroyed by the politics of promises. At the time of that struggle, youths attacked the leaders of all the political parties, including the leader of the Opposition, and chased them away. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the national leader who represented the parliament with a single seat, assumed leadership fearlessly at a time when all the 224 members of the parliament were refusing to accept the challenge.
“Now we need a corresponding political change at the party convention. Our Party Constitution must be changed. We had to change our Party Constitution in 1978. The Executive Presidential system was introduced. With the introduction of the Executive Presidential system, we have included in the Party constitution a clause that if a member of the Party becomes the President of the country, he will be the leader of the UNP.”
