President Ranil Wickremesinghe launched a sharp attack on his presidential election rivals Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake during an election rally in Sainthamaruthu, Ampara, accusing them of making empty promises to farmers while being absent during their most critical moments of need. Wickremesinghe’s comments came after both candidates pledged to reduce fertilizer prices and erase farmers’ debts if elected to office.
In a forceful speech, Wickremesinghe questioned where these promises were when Sri Lankan farmers were grappling with a severe shortage of fertilizer during the country’s economic crisis. He accused Premadasa and Dissanayake of offering no real support when the agricultural sector was on the brink of collapse and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers were at stake.
“Today, promises are being made to lower fertilizer prices and forgive farmers’ debts. Yet, when farmers were crying out for fertilizer, these same people remained silent. I ask Sajith and Anura, where were you then?” the President said, pointing out that his administration had worked tirelessly to secure fertilizer subsidies by engaging in diplomatic efforts with world leaders.
Wickremesinghe took credit for stabilizing the country’s economy, arguing that his decisive actions had brought businesses back from the brink of closure and revived agricultural production, particularly in the rice sector. “I have made difficult and often unpopular decisions, but they were necessary to get this country back on its feet. Today, we are seeing the results of these efforts, with stability in our economy,” he added.
He further claimed that while his government was taking these tough decisions, Premadasa and Dissanayake remained passive, offering no help during the darkest days of the crisis. Wickremesinghe suggested that their sudden promises were politically motivated and designed to win votes, rather than being rooted in any real concern for the farmers or the nation’s economic well-being.
The President didn’t stop there. He went on to charge that those who avoided responsibility during the crisis are now seeking power for themselves, pointing to what he called “political opportunism” by his competitors. “Those who are now talking about easing the burdens of the people were nowhere to be seen when these burdens were at their heaviest. They avoided responsibility then and are now merely looking to win power for themselves,” Wickremesinghe declared.
Speaking specifically to the Muslim-majority crowd in Sainthamaruthu, Wickremesinghe highlighted the critical importance of protecting the agricultural and trade sectors, both of which are major sources of income for the Muslim community in the Eastern Province. The President warned that neglecting these industries would spell serious hardship for the region’s people.
“We cannot afford to let these crucial sectors collapse. If we lose our farming and trade industries, it will lead to serious difficulties for the people,” he cautioned, calling on voters to look to the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) for support in ensuring the sustainability of these vital economic activities.
Wickremesinghe also reassured the crowd of his administration’s commitment to addressing the specific needs of the Muslim community, which he said would be given careful consideration in his policies moving forward.
The President also took the opportunity to emphasize his dedication to conducting elections free from ethnic and religious bias. He contrasted his approach with that of other political leaders, whom he accused of using divisive rhetoric on the campaign trail to stir up tensions. Wickremesinghe reaffirmed his commitment to respecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
In particular, he noted that under his leadership, the legal right of Muslim citizens to be buried according to their customs has been fully protected, unlike the controversial policies of previous administrations. “I stand for the protection of all communities in Sri Lanka. I will not allow anyone to use religion or ethnicity as a tool to divide our people for political gain,” he vowed.
Looking ahead, Wickremesinghe assured the crowd that he has concrete plans in place to address the challenges faced by the farming and trade sectors, as well as the wider economy. He urged the people of Ampara to support his vision for a stable and prosperous Sri Lanka, reminding them that his track record of delivering results speaks for itself.
“I don’t make empty promises. I make commitments, and I deliver on them,” the President said in closing, reiterating his dedication to the country’s future and to the wellbeing of all its communities.
