"I don't hold the nation's future anymore as I have completed my task of putting the economy on the path of stability. The future of the country is in the hands of the people. The Election Commission will declare the Presidential election shortly. Therefore, the people should decide on the nation's desinty at the polls. You decide whether the nation should go on our way or on another way," the President told the UNP Galle District convention today.

"I had to take over the nation when no one else was willing to do so. The JVP was not to be seen. Others went missing as well. I talked to the World Bank, ADB and the IMF. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa managed to get assistance from India and Bangladesh before I took over. I have done my duty following the past UNP leaders," he said.

"We are unable to offer handouts now. I said this even during the 2020 elections. The country would not have been in a crisis if our ideology was accepted. However, a group of UNPers went on a different way and formed a new party. It is now time to forget party politics. Most of the parties which exist today are breakaway groups of the UNP. Hence I invite all of them to rejoin us. Let's bring about economic reforms fast," he added.

DM