"Apey Ranil" transfers his powers to LC, calls for end to Rajapaksa dictatorship, corruption

Ranil in talks with several opposition parties to fight provincial & national elections in 2014

by Zacki Jabbar-December 21, 2013

Amidst a catchy song, "Apey Ranil," sung to an upbeat tempo, the UNP yesterday held its 55th annual Convention at "Srikotha" with the central theme being relief for the long suffering masses, abolition of the Executive Presidency and an end to corruption and lawlessness.

The proceedings went off smoothly with all participants body-checked and armed policemen providing security within the complex.

Wickremesinghe revealed in the course of his speech that he was in talks with several opposition parties to form an alliance to fight several provincial and national elections which will be held in 2014.

A relaxed, smiling and apparently relieved Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is now designated as the National Leader having delegated his powers to the Leadership Council (LC), kept waving to those who had gathered at "Srikotha" while the words "Apey Ranil" which was part of the song’s chorus kept extolling his virtues as a clean and uncorrupt politician.

The lyrics brought a smile to many of those present with some clapping in rhythm after the speakers who preceded him had called for unity while criticizing the Rajapaksa regime for ruining the country with its short sighted policies which had resulted in an unprecedented debt burden, reeking corruption and lawlessness as never experienced since Independence.

Rolling up his sleeves, Wickremesinghe urged party members to get on the streets to oust a government which had made a mockery of democracy and good governance in the post war era through its " 30 percent commission" politics and ego boosting propaganda exercises. The cost of these was recovered from the masses by heavily taxing essential goods and services.

The entire country, he said, knew that the Rajapaksa regime was corrupt to the core and it had been proved beyond doubt with national debt, which stood at Rs.1.6 trillion after 55 years of Independence, zooming to Rs.6.6 trillion within the last eight years.

Wickremesinghe observed that unlike at past Conventions when the leaders powers were strengthened, yesterday was a historic day since it marked the transfer of the leader’s authority to the LC.

"I have given my powers to the LC because I want the UNP to win and also develop a future leadership. Enough is enough. All should rally round to ensure the party emerges victorious once again,’’ he said.

There was no point in crying while seated on a hansi putuwa (armchair), he said recalling that some had laughed at him when he said at the beginning of this year that 2014 would be election year.

"Those who listened to me and organized their branches would benefit. To those who laughed at me, all I can say is get on the streets immediately and campaign hard to make up for lost time."

In an obvious reference to Sajith Premadasa’s refusal to contest the next Southern Provincial Council Election as the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate, the UNP leader recalled how Gamini Jayawickrema Perera had placed the party before self by resigning from Parliament twice to contest Provincial Polls.

He noted that after the UNP was routed at the 1970 general election. J.R.Jayewardene re-organized the party from scratch and led it to an unprecedented five sixths majority victory at the 1977 parliamentary election. The secret, Wickremesinghe observed, was the unity amidst differences that existed between various personalities even at that time.

The corrupt and dictatorial Rajapaksa regime which had destroyed every possible sector including the economy, education and health can be ousted, the UNP leader said.

The establishment of the Leadership Council which was earlier endorsed by the Working Committee was unanimously approved by the Convention.

The Convention while resolving that the Executive Presidency be abolished and all the Independent Commissions be re-established urged the government to reduce the Cost of Living and provide relief to the people. This had not materialized even over four years after the war ended.

It also called for free education and health to be safeguarded and developed.