Saturday, October 29, 2005

Criticism strengthens me - Ranil

United National Party Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe said he welcomes criticism since it strengthens him.

Addressing a public rally in Hanwalle, Wickremesinghe said "Although my rivals criticize me at every step, I am strengthened by it , for if they ever cease to criticize, it might weaken me."

Wickremesinghe said that the JVP has been accusing every UNP leader since the late President J R Jayewardene of dividing the country.

"When President Jayewardene introduced the Provincial Council system, as a measure to solve the ethnic problem, the JVP not only accused him of dividing the country and betraying the nation to the Indian army but also maliciously destroyed public and private properties as well as human lives."

The JVP, he said has now proved that they accept the system that they vehemently opposed, at the cost of property and life, by representing Provincial councils.

Wickremesinghe, recalled how the JVP accused President Premadasa of providing LTTE with arms and the same old accusation of dividing the country was leveled against him.

"When President Premadasa was assassinated by the LTTE these groups stooped to the level of lighting crackers and eating kiribath. During the previous election JVP leaders tried to remove the plug they claimed to have connected the UNP to the World Bank. Since they failed to reduce the cost of living, develop the economy or do anything at all, they have found out that it was not a valid slogan and people are not ready to believe them. Therefore the Somawansa, Weerawansa duo is resorting to the old accusation of dividing the country," he said.

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