August 19, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) has formally announced its backing for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election, citing his achievements over the past two years and his commitment to improving the lives of the upcountry community.
The decision was made public during a press conference held at the party headquarters in Hatton yesterday (18).
CWC General Secretary and Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman, praised President Wickremesinghe’s leadership in guiding the nation out of bankruptcy and implementing crucial initiatives focused on the livelihood, education, and healthcare of the upcountry people.
Thondaman highlighted that the President’s attention to the ongoing wage issues within the plantation sector has been particularly appreciated by the community.
The CWC President, Senthil Thondaman, further elaborated that a democratic discussion within the party had led to the majority’s decision to support President Wickremesinghe.
The party’s leadership emphasised that this choice is not just an endorsement but part of a broader collaboration, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) set to be signed to formalise their partnership.
The MoU is expected to outline key demands from the upcountry community, focusing on long-term benefits.
Parliamentarian M. Rameshwaran echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the President’s efforts in addressing plantation workers’ wage disputes and expressing optimism about future development projects in the hill regions under Wickremesinghe’s governance.
The CWC’s alignment with the President is seen as a strategic move, potentially consolidating a significant voter base in the highlands, where the party holds considerable influence.
The CWC’s decision underscores the evolving political landscape as various factions weigh their options in the lead-up to the presidential election.
