The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) presidential candidate, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, stated in Jaffna on last Thursday(05) evening that a government of the NPP would make sure that Indian fisherman would not openly poach in Sri Lankan seas, robbing Sri Lankan fishermen of their livelihood.
Dissanayake implored Jaffna voters to choose wisely between supporting the NPP and ushering in a new era of national revival or continuing the disastrous political course Sri Lanka has on since independence. In order to bring about change, he emphasised the necessity for a unified front and invited the people of Jaffna to join Muslims, Sinhalese, and Tamils outside of the Northern and Eastern regions.
“NPP promises to keep illegal Indian fishermen at bay.”
“You supported Maithripala Sirisena in 2015, voted against Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2019, and Ranil Wickremesinghe served as prime minister from 2015 -2019.” “On September 21, we can put an end to the politics of deceit,” Dissanayake declared, adding that “all those leaders have reneged on the promises they made to you.”
The NPP candidate attacked the current political establishment, focussing in particular on SJB leader and presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa and independent candidate and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, accusing them of upholding racist and corrupt policies that have long threatened the unity and prosperity of the nation. He declared, “Sajith and Ranil represent old politics that are based on stoking racist sentiments.”
Dissanayake also attacked corruption, claiming that widespread corruption has been a key factor in the nation’s economic instability. He charged Wickremesinghe and Premadasa of having connections to individuals involved in a number of corruption crimes, including as the well-known Central Bank bond schemes and the misappropriation of public funds. “Those who have been accused of serious corruption surround Ranil,” he continued, citing individuals like as Prasanna Ranatunga. He said that there were similar issues with Sajith Premadasa’s management of the Central Cultural Fund. “We promise a route free from waste and corruption; we’ll punish the thieves and seize assets obtained through theft from the nation.”
The NPP’s message, according to them, is centred on a vision of justice, equality, and togetherness. He used Wickremesinghe’s conviction by the Supreme Court for violating basic rights as evidence in his argument that the existing political system permits politicians to operate above the law. He gave the audience the assurance that “everyone will be equal before the law under an NPP government.”
Speaking on the political past of the Tamil community, Dissanayake called attention to their voting habits in earlier elections, when they supported politicians opposed to Rajapaksa. He called on the people of Jaffna to vote for constructive change, defying previous tendencies. “The 2024 vote is for change,” he declared, pleading with people to choose the NPP rather than the established parties, which he believed had only served to steer the nation in the wrong direction.Dissanayake also attacked M.A. Sumanthiran, a Tamil National Alliance MP, saying that his support for Sajith Premadasa went against the fundamental reform that the entire nation is trying to achieve. He emphasised that the NPP is the only political party that really reflects the desires of the people for a better, unified Sri Lanka, saying, “The ITAK wants you to vote against hope.”
