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Ranil's stress on joint efforts to end strife

V.S. Sambandan

Spells out steps to solve people's problems

COLOMBO: The former Sri Lankan Prime Minister and presidential candidate, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Thursday said he would work with his main political foes, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to end the island-nation's woes, if he were to win the November 17 poll.

"The two main parties must work together and that is what I aim to do," Mr. Wickremesinghe, leader of the Opposition United National Party (UNP) and one of the two major contenders for presidency told a press conference. "We have to come together and pull the country out of the mess it is in," he said. Mr. Wickremesinghe, who recently proposed populist measures including more jobs and a promise to check deficit financing in his manifesto, said one of the main problems was the rising cost of living.

"The main issue are people's issues," he said. His manifesto, which he said was the "People's Agenda" has three key slogans — defeat hunger, end unemployment and prevent separatism. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse from the SLFP is the other main contestant in the race.

Pledge to end separatism

The manifesto identified "irresponsible and limitless printing of money" as the reason for the rising cost of living. He promised not to print currency to meet deficits, while taking steps to "strengthen the rupee and reduce the increase in cost of living." He has also listed prices at which essential commodities such as milk powder and lentils would be sold.

Conflict resolution, he said, was "very high on the priority." The SLFP and the UNP had a "broad acceptance" on it including sharing of powers, he said.

Mr. Wickremesinghe promised "ending separatism," recommencing the peace process and finding a lasting solution to the "north-east problem within a united Sri Lanka." His manifesto said an agreement between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and "between the two main parties themselves" was required to arrive at a "durable peace."

The manifesto said the UNP would not claim exclusive credit of achieving peace. "We will share the honour with all parties who have contributed to this end" it said.

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