Conventional politicians have failed to deliver solutions to the national problems of Sri Lanka. They area generation who are trapped in a narrow post-colonial mentality. They are a generation that still have many illusions about peace, economic well-being and society. They are a generation who must shoulder the responsibility for many of Sri Lanka's present ills. Ultimately, they are a generation who lack both the vision and courage to lead Sri Lanka very much further. We need new leaders, and I am prepared to stand among their ranks.

I believe that peace does not grow on trees; it must be enforced. Peace is not the natural reward of a peaceful people. It is the hard won privilege of an intelligent and ever vigilant people. I find terrorism, whether ethnic or ideological, completely unacceptable. To negotiate with terrorists is to commit treason. I believe that Sri Lanka must have strong armed forces and a strong intelligence network. Terrorism must be crushed with a sophisticated military and political solution.

I believe that good Government is small Government. The British needed a large Government in order to persecute and exploit the people of Sri Lanka. This agenda is no longer valid, and therefore nor is its instrument. Every state institution is a cause of higher taxes and higher in efficiency. When derived from a modern theoretical perspective, a Government has only two principal responsibilities; Security and Justice. All other commercial or administrative activities of the Government are questionable, and potentially serve only those in power or their narrow-minded ideas. Given Sri Lanka 's socio-economic situation I am strongly in favour of free education, free health and a comprehensive social security system.

I believe in a unified and simplified legal system. I do not accept the concept of a separate law for Muslims, and separate laws for Tamils, and separate laws for the Sinhalese. My vision is one law for one people.

I believe in the abolition of the caste system. The impact of caste on society should be eradicated not merely by social evolution, but by legislation and a proactive campaign against it. The Lord Buddha has taught that there is no caste in Buddhism. Yet Buddhism in Sri Lanka is organized along deeply divided caste lines. As the standard bearers of Theravada Buddhism, this system only serves to divide us and to tarnish the purity of our doctrine. We must reform the Sangha and eliminate caste from the organizations of our clergy.

I completely reject Victorian morality, which seems to be the disease of Sri Lanka 's middle class. Our indigenous system of morals is neither oppressive nor narrow minded. I do not believe in the Western institution of marriage. I believe that the Kandyan marriage, which is still legal, is a far more natural law for Sri Lankans. Perhaps one day our model of marriage will be accepted the world over, as Western Christian societies become more civilized and continue to emerge from the residual mentality of the dark ages.

I believe in rapid economic development, capitalism and open market competition. However Sri Lanka should always adjust her laws and regulations to bring maximum benefits to her citizens. While this may seem a truism, often Sri Lanka toes the line of the World Bank, IMF or International Donor agencies or Countries, to the detriment of her people. A strong and responsible Sri Lankan Government should be able to resist negative foreign pressures, while getting the best from International agencies. Sri Lanka 's farmers should be protected from competition against imported agricultural products, until they are able to compete on a fair basis. Those products which are best manufactured in Sri Lanka should be completely protected from imports.

I believe in a strong Sri Lankan education. All students should be educated in the Sinhala language, history, Buddhist studies and modern law and politics. Sri Lankan studies of this nature should be mandatory for students in tertiary education programs, regardless of the institution or program of study.

I believe in high standards for awarding citizenship of Sri Lanka . Such standards should include a sound knowledge of the Sinhala language, history, culture, Buddhism, law and the political situation. No person without a Bachelor's Degree should be granted citizenship unless that person brings in a large direct foreign investment. Citizenship by descent or marriage to a citizen, should be the only automatic methods of acquiring citizenship.Sri Lankan studies should also be made mandatory in all International schools which in recent times seem to be producing a highly educated class of amoral students.

I have selected the United National Party as my party, not because it is the traditional party of my family, but because I believe it is the party with the greatest potential to protect democracy and to bring about sweeping reform to all aspects of our society. The other major political party in Sri Lanka is a family enterprise and is not democratic. The other parties are not mainstream political parties, and many of them are extremist. From a historical perspective it is also the party that has best served our country. In recent times it has become a fashion for politicians to switch parties to serve short-term ends. I have resolved never to participate in politics from any other political party. If one day the United National Party engages in policy that I believe is fundamentally contradictory to my own beliefs and detrimental to my people, and I cannot change the course of events, I would rather withdraw from politics than change my allegiance to another party.

The United National Party is the Conservative party of Sri Lanka. However, real ideology has played very little part in the politics of our country. Many of our leading politicians have not even considered their ideological position, and have never been exposed to modern political theory. As a result both politicians and political parties have shown a disturbing inconsistency in their policies and positions taken on national issues. Often politicians have completely changed their positions on issues overnight, to serve short term and petty ends. When asked about their vision most Sri Lanka politicians will talk about reforms, or religio-ethnic agendas. Sadly most Sri Lankan politicians have no vision at all. It is not possible to achieve strong leadership without a firm ideological position.

It falls to the UNP to be the defender and protector of the majority community of Sri Lanka, the Sinhala Buddhists, while ensuring equal rights for all other ethnic and religious groups. It is only a mark of the ideological confusion of our times that many are amazed by this position. Yet it is not considered strange for the American Republican party or the British Conservative party to defend the rights of white Christians. One day the United National Party must win back the trust and confidence of the Sinhala Buddhist majority. It is only then that we will have the opportunity to lead Sri Lanka out of the chaos.