Speech delivered by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition at "Hotel Marriot" in Los Angeles

We are the new party with a new vision for a new millennium.

A vision of long-lasting Peace. A vision of strengthening the democratic rights of the people.

A vision of a technological leap frog into the twenty first century creating prosperity for all.

Long lasting peace
Sri Lanka has bled too long. Ending the north east conflict is the greatest challenge that all of us face today. We recognise today that over the years the conflict has become both complex and multi faceted. The recent past has shown us that it cannot be solved by ad hoc responses, military operations with the objective of political image building and the exploitation of issues for short term political gains and blaming the Parliamentary opposition.

The UNP Government under my leadership will rise to this challenge.

We all take a holistic approach, making use of all available options, working according to a plan to bring this conflict to an end. The plan will include -

(i) Resolving the conflict as soon as possible.

(ii) Preserving an indivisible Sri Lanka.

(iii) A settlement acceptable to all sections and parties concerned and

(iv) A settlement based on the democratic way of life and the repudiation of violence.

Peace
We believe that if peace is to be long lasting it requires both a solution which meets with the aspirations of all sections of the people and the concept of a Sri Lankan identity. An identity embracing all citizens and all communities founded on the premise that all citizens are equal and are entitled to equal rights and opportunities. A common identity respecting the rights and aspirations of all people based on mutual respect.

The Sri Lanka identity will ensure that the State reflects the interest of all communities and the central Government serve all, while upholding the principle of merit. No community or religion will suffer any disability which is not imposed on the other communities or religions, Strengthening the Democratic Rights of the People.

Identity
A Sri Lankan identity is possible only with a democratic society. Our task is to further expand the individual rights and liberties of our citizens. To ensure a system of government in which the people rule themselves by electing their representatives at all levels.

We uphold the principle that the sovereignty belongs to all the people and is collectively exercised by all Sri Lankans. The sovereignty vested in the people cannot be alienated or divided. It will be exercised through -

(a) The fundamental rights and freedoms.

(b) The exercise of the franchise to elect representatives at all levels.

(c) The enactment of a Constitution by Parliament subject to approval at a Referendum.

We are committed to sharing power at the centre and devolving power to the periphery. The legislative and executive powers will therefore be exercised by such bodies and authorities as specified in the Constitution. The sharing of power in formulating the national policy framework will result in a unifying centre capable of safeguarding the interests of all Sri Lankans. Within this, devolution will empower the provinces to determine their cultural, economic and social development according to their needs. The exercise of executive and legislative power at different levels will enable the accommodation of provincial and local peculiarities and perceptions.

People, not parties
The Government, the Parliament, the Provincial Councils and the Local Governments are elected by the people. They must serve the people and not the political parties. Therefore we propose to make a fundamental change in the key institutions of government and ensure free and fair elections by the establishment of -

(1) An independent Election Commission

(2) An independent Police Commission

(3) An independent Public Service.

We will further strengthen the independence of the Judiciary. Next month I will also present to Parliament on expanding the media. Friends, the new party will introduce a new political culture.

The UNP has always adhered to the three economic fundamentals: The market economy, competition and private initiative. This made possible the great economic liberalisation of 1977 and the advantages Sri Lanka enjoys in the Global Economy.

Location
Firstly the location. Sri Lanka located in the centre of the Indian Ocean next to the Sub Continent must be seen as an opportunity to become an international trading centre. We will seek closer economic and trading ties with India. I am already holding discussions on a far-reaching proposal for Indo-Colombo economic co-operation which will make the southern part of the sub continent a major growth area.

Secondly the human resources. We will equip our young people who already possess sound general education with the technological and managerial knowledge required. This together with enhanced productivity will be the cornerstone of our Human Resources Development Programme. Thirdly our adaptability and our resilience. For many centuries we have demonstrated our flexibility to adapt ourselves to external changes in trade and commerce. In the last decade we have become even more resilient in the face of adversity and turmoil. These are strengths to be exploited in a global economy.

With this ambition we will make Sri Lanka both an air sea hub in the Indian Ocean by developing our ports and airports to serve the region and beyond and a platform for competitive value addition in agriculture, manufacturing, trading, financial and other services.

This is how the UNP conceptualises Sri Lanka in the twenty first century.

I will take all possible steps to create a conducive atmosphere in Sri Lanka for foreign investment under the next government of the United National Party. I have already drawn up elaborate long term plans in this direction. The United National Party will usher in an era where everyone will get an equal opportunity to develop their potential and skills. No favoured treatment will be meted out to anyone.

Priority
The top priority of my government will be to introduce a crash programme to develop the infrastructure facilities. I will not hesitate even for a moment under a future UNP government to bring into my country any or every high-tech innovations as found in any part of the world. Our intention is to move Sri Lanka into an era where everyone could claim proud ownership to housing, banking, vehicles and other facilities to live a happy and contented life in a truly democratic atmosphere. I would like to remind that the "Elephant moves slowly but swiftly and while encompassing everything it sees".

Mr. Wickremesinghe further stated the aim of the future United National Party government under his leadership would be to march steadfastly towards the creation of a prosperous and strong Sri Lanka.