Matugama – President Ranil Wickremesinghe called for immediate clarification on the defence expenditure revisions outlined in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) blueprint policy during his address at the “Puluwan Sri Lanka” victory rally held at the Matugama private bus stand on Thursday (05).
Highlighting leadership and responsibility, the President criticized SJB’s leader, Sajith Premadasa, accusing him of failing to take accountability as a leader. “Despite talking about teamwork, Sajith has not been able to unite his party under one clear vision,” Wickremesinghe stated, while also claiming that Premadasa is currently supporting an agreement involving Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the National People’s Power (NPP) candidate.
Reflecting on his own governance, President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of strong leadership that works effectively with any team, citing his role in guiding the country through a challenging economic period. He reaffirmed his commitment to continuing national development, promising to lead with the team chosen by the people in the next general election.
During the rally, the “Five-Pronged” youth proposal was handed to the President, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in governance. In his speech, Wickremesinghe addressed concerns about his political team, emphasizing that his leadership is built on strength and responsibility rather than just the composition of his team.
The President’s strongest remarks were directed at the SJB’s blueprint policy, particularly its proposal to reassess and re-examine defence expenditure. Wickremesinghe argued that such a revision could lead to a reduction in military spending, which the SJB must clarify to the public. “They need to explain this to the country,” he said, underscoring the potential implications of the policy on national security.
Wickremesinghe also pointed out inconsistencies within the SJB’s manifestos, accusing different factions within the party of presenting conflicting ideas. He singled out figures such as Nalaka Godahewa, G.L. Peiris, Harsha de Silva, and Kabir Hashim, each representing diverging visions for the party’s policies.
The President concluded by reiterating that his leadership is about working with any group and focusing on the responsibilities of governance, not just campaign promises.
