COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s prime minister kicked off his election campaign yesterday on the second anniversary of a ceasefire with Tamil Tiger rebels, saying his re-election will being more peace and prosperity.
In his first public appearance since President Chandrika Kumaratunga called snap elections, Ranil Wickremesinghe said his campaign would focus on economic reform and a negotiated end to the 20-year civil war in which 64,000 people have died.
“We have brought peace and economic growth with this ceasefire. Please give me a mandate to continue on this path,” Wickremesinghe told a rally of about 5,000 supporters in a Colombo park.
The rally of his United National Party (UNP) coincided with a festival celebrating the truce anniversary.
“Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, we must all work together like one family,” one UNP member in a green shirt – the colour of the party – said as a band played Latin tunes under the blazing tropical sun.
In his short speech to supporters, the prime minister’s main theme was defending the ceasefire and maintaining the country’s growth. He spoke little of his arch-rival Kumaratunga.
The Norwegian-brokered ceasefire has given Sri Lanka the longest break in fighting since the war began. The country has enjoyed two years of strong economic growth, the stock market has boomed and tourists have flooded back.
But in November Kumaratunga sparked a crisis that threatened the ceasefire when she sacked three of Wickremesinghe’s ministers, including defence. She accused him of offering the rebels too many concessions and endangering national security.
The crisis occurred as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) handed Wickremesinghe proposals for a federal Sri Lanka with devolution of power to the Tamil minority in the north.
The ensuing stalemate ended on February 7 when Kumaratunga called elections for April 2, three years ahead of schedule. Wickremesinghe reiterated the poll call was undemocratic, as his pro-business UNP had a majority in parliament. He and Kumaratunga are from different parties and elected separately.
Parties are planning major rallies on Thursday at symbolic sites around the country. On that day, the UNP will launch its drive from Kandy, where Sri Lanka’s last kings ruled before submitting to the British in the 19th century.
The SLFP is expected to hold its rally in Anuradhapura, the country’s first capital where generations of kings held sway over a Buddhist empire in the first millennium. – Reuters


photo:Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe waves to his supporters as he enters the special convention of his part in Colombo yesterday. – AFP
Last update on: 23-2-2004