September 8, 2024 — Speaking at a public meeting in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa, presidential candidate Roshan Ranasinghe boldly claimed that he possesses the same backbone and strength as King Parakramabahu, a legendary ruler of Sri Lanka known for uniting the nation and achieving prosperity.
Addressing the crowd, Ranasinghe criticized the current political leadership, stating that 6.9 million people had voted for a government to combat corruption and enforce the law equally, but their mandate has been betrayed. He highlighted the dismissal of four ministers by the sitting president as a sign that democracy has been disregarded.
Ranasinghe recounted his own struggles within the cabinet, particularly opposing the sale of the Rice Marketing Board, and pushing for the reopening of the board to assist the public. He also criticized the government’s handling of the fertilizer subsidy, claiming it should have been introduced earlier.
Promising relief to the public if elected, Ranasinghe vowed to provide a fertilizer subsidy of 3,000 rupees and set affordable prices for rice. He pledged to offer Nadu rice at 140 rupees per kilo, Samba rice at 150 rupees, and Milk Samba rice at 160 rupees. He emphasized the importance of building additional storage facilities for the Paddy Marketing Board to ensure the government can handle rice supplies efficiently.
Invoking the legacy of King Parakramabahu, Ranasinghe positioned himself as a leader with the courage and determination to lead the nation toward prosperity, just as the ancient king did. He concluded by stressing that he had always stood his ground in the cabinet, even opposing decisions related to cricket governance, a testament to his strength and conviction.
Ranasinghe urged the public to vote for him, promising to lead with the same unwavering commitment as King Parakramabahu, restoring dignity and prosperity to the nation.
