• Leader Ranjan claims no obstacle for his own candidacy 

Eradicating corruption is an arduous yet necessary task, and given the state of the country’s economy which has lagged behind compared to countries with which Sri Lanka could compete in the past, the new Government should prioritise it, Eksath Prajathanthravadi Handa (United Democratic Voice – UDV) Party Leader Ranjan Ramanayake said.

The actor cum former Parliamentarian made these remarks yesterday (9) in Colombo during the launch of the Party (which has, however, according to Ramanayake already been registered) and its manifesto. During the event, several Party members – former cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan who is the Party’s National Organiser and former Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Vadivel Suresh – were announced as candidates at the upcoming General/Parliamentary Election. The Party will contest under the ‘microphone’ symbol.

Explaining the motives behind the formation of the Party and the decision to contest in the upcoming Election, Ramanayake said that the Party is built on five pillars, namely, ending corruption, creating sustainable jobs that raise economic and living standards, knowledge and education, health, and inclusivity and diversity. Adding that various efforts aimed at eradicating corruption have failed, he said that a new approach is necessary to achieve good results and that it requires new leadership.

In addition, pointing out that the people made a decision at the recently held Presidential Election seeking change, Ramanayake opined that for such change to take effect, a party that aims to end corruption should receive power in the upcoming election. Furthermore, he noted that the UDV will renegotiate international loans and create jobs in partnership with the private sector.

During the event, it was revealed that UDV election candidates will contest in the upcoming General Election from every district except for the Matara and Hambantota Districts. Ramanayake said that applicants are being considered at present. In response to a question about Ramanayake’s own candidacy in a context where he had lost his civic rights as a result of a contempt of court case related conviction and subsequent conditional Presidential pardon (according to him), Ramanayake stressed that there is no obstacle for him to contest in the General Election.

In 2010, Ramanayake was first elected to the Parliament representing the Ratnapura District from the United National Party.