Independent presidential candidate Ranil Wickramasinghe has announced plans to steer Sri Lanka’s agriculture industry in a bold new direction, aiming to turn it into a foreign exchange generator for the country. Speaking at a public rally in Yapahuwa, the President painted a grand vision of agricultural innovation and economic self-sufficiency.
“By revolutionizing agriculture, we will feed the world and find foreign exchange, so we no longer need to rely on loans,” Wickramasinghe declared. He suggested that this agricultural transformation would help Sri Lanka tackle its debt burden and achieve economic independence.
However, parts of his speech left some listeners scratching their heads. “When you say Sri Lanka, read those two pages… I don’t understand it. They are empty,” the President said, cryptically. He also urged citizens to “hit the gas cylinder in front” by September 21, adding that without this, “there will be no gas, nor the Northwest Canal,” leaving many wondering what exactly he meant.
As Wickramasinghe continues his campaign, his message is clear: agriculture is key to Sri Lanka’s future. Yet, his speech seemed to mix ambitious policy with confusing metaphors, leaving some to question how this agricultural revolution will unfold in practical terms.