{"id":52328,"date":"2017-04-04T18:32:26","date_gmt":"2017-04-04T22:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=52328"},"modified":"2017-04-04T22:31:47","modified_gmt":"2017-04-05T02:31:47","slug":"prime-minister-praised-for-his-patience-at-launch-of-a-biography-on-ranil-wickremesinghe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=52328","title":{"rendered":"Prime Minister Praised for his Patience at Launch of a Biography on Ranil Wickremesinghe"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Nisthar Cassim<\/strong><\/p>\n

The launch of a biography on Ranil Wickremesinghe last night at the BMICH saw praised being heaped on the Prime Minister, who credited patience for his success but said that it was time to ensure victory for Sri Lanka by uniting for peace and development. <\/p>\n

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pic via: facebook.com\/ranil.wickremesinghe.leader\/- March 31, 2017<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThere are many who helped me but it is time for all of us to unite for lasting peace and equitable development,\u201d the Prime Minister told a packed audience at the BMICH comprising political leaders, clergy, diplomats, business leaders, civil society members and public servants. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe all, including the main Opposition and other opposition parties, must discuss and move forward jointly. This will be a great victory. Let us all spend the time ahead of us on this challenge and within the next five years create a new political culture, a good Sri Lankan identity and a prosperous economy,\u201d the Prime Minster said during his brief speech.
\nHe said Sri Lanka needed to forge ahead by recapturing opportunities lost to the 30-year war. \u201cFor this we need unity,\u201d the Prime Minister said, recalling how all parties put forward Maithripala Sirisena as a common presidential candidate and formed a national government for at least five years, which was a key achievement.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wickremesinghe was the youngest member when he entered Parliament in 1977, followed by the youngest Deputy Minister, Cabinet Minister and eventually Prime Minister. <\/p>\n

In response to the address of the event\u2019s keynote speaker, Indian MP and world-famous author Dr. Sashi Tharoor, who captured the entire gamut of Indo-Lanka ties, scope for the future and challenges, the Prime Minister said it was time for the South Asian region to regain its global pre-eminence. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe see a lot of opportunities in the region, the wealth of which helped the West in the past. It is now time for us to ensure we can rebuild the Indian Ocean and strengthen ourselves. There is much more scope for us to work together with India,\u201d the Premier said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing for Sri Lankans to fear. It is not that our markets will be taken over by Indians but it is a question of win-win for both,\u201d Wickremesinghe said, referring to the need to expand the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement to a comprehensive economic and technological cooperation agreement.<\/p>\n

He reiterated that Sri Lanka was a hub of the Indian Ocean and the country needed to strengthen itself. <\/p>\n

He also stated that the countries of the Bay of Bengal, the five southern states of India and Sri Lanka could focus on a future not on a trillion-dollar economy but much larger. \u201cIt is time for us to shape the political and economic order in the region, one which focuses on closer relationship,\u201d Wickremesinghe added. <\/p>\n

Humour was not missing in the Premier\u2019s speech. Earlier on in his speech the Premier, while thanking Tharoor (who was a Minister of State in the previous Congress Government) for being present at the launch, said: \u201cIn life whether you are in the Opposition or the Government, both are occasions to shine. Whether you are batting or bowling it is the same.\u201d <\/p>\n

He also recalled former President J.R. Jayawardene\u2019s answer to the question of how he became President. Jayawardena responded saying: \u201cI survived all my contemporaries.\u201d \u201cSo patience has a virtue and you carry on,\u201d Wickremesinghe stated. <\/p>\n

In fact the book authored by Dinesh Weerakkody, a regular Daily FT columnist, focuses on Wickremesinghe\u2019s intelligence, knowledge and virtue of patience. The launch ceremony also played an instrumental version of the famous Frank Sinatra song \u2018My Way\u2019, which incidentally is also a favourite of Wickremesinghe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

It was Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne who spoke of Wickremesinghe\u2019s \u201croyal\u201d character (in reference to his alma mater) and linked that to his success in politics apart from being the first Sri Lankan university-educated Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was at Royal College where Wickremesinghe learnt the virtue of being a liberal and this lesson he carried with him during his political career,\u201d Rajitha recalled. \u201cWickremesinghe wasn\u2019t racist but a Sri Lankan who believed in freedom and liberal policies,\u201d the Health Minister added. \u201cHe didn\u2019t side with the Sinhalese opportunistically but worked with the Sinhalese to protect Sri Lanka and its multiethnic identity,\u201d emphasised Minister Senaratne. <\/p>\n

The Chief Incumbent of the Gangarama Temple Galboda Gnanissara Thera (Podi Hamuduruwo) said the best tribute to Wickremesinghe was a united Sri Lanka for equitable prosperity and peace. <\/p>\n

Tourism, Land and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said the biography of Wickremesinghe would certainly inspire future young politicians as a credible and successful roadmap.
\n
\nCourtesy:Daily FT<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Nisthar Cassim The launch of a biography on Ranil Wickremesinghe last night at the BMICH saw praised being heaped on the Prime Minister, who credited patience for his success but said that it was time to ensure victory for Sri Lanka by uniting for peace and development. \u201cThere are many who helped me but …<\/p>\n

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