Ranil says UNP will form own government

COLOMBO (News1st) : United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday said his party would form a government on its own if given a mandate. "The UNP government is ready to work with all party leaders in Parliament," Wickremesinghe said during a meeting in Athurugiriya. He urged people to vote for his party, accusing the government of burdening the people. "We don't know what happened to the funds sent by the World Bank for COVID-19 relief," Wickremesinghe pointed out. He said the public had been badly hit by higher electricity bills that were delivered three months late due to the COVID-19 outbreak. "If we look at the bill for three months, that seems like a bill for six months," the UNP leader remarked. He also blamed the government for not reducing the prices of oil despite a drop in global market rates, to pass the benefits on to the consumer. "We paid off the debts and gave money while increasing salaries within three months," Wickremesinghe stated recalling his government that came into power in 2015. He said that UNP will form a government on its own and would work with all party leaders.