NPP Leader promises end to luxuries enjoyed by former presidents

By S.M. Samarakoon

Only the National People’s Power (NPP) could develop the country while restoring the rule of law, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday, addressing a rally in Badulla.He said that the trajectory of Sri Lankan politics had changed and that there would be many changes within a month of the local council elections.

“We have a plan to revitalise the country and we have good people backing us,” he said.

Dissanayake said that in 2019 they only got three percent of the vote and that many expected that the NPP would forever remain at the bottom of the pyramid.

“They still insist we only have a small number of votes. If so, why not hold elections? They know that the local council election will mark a sea change in Sri Lankan politics. The UNP and the SLPP can’t even hold a rally,” he said, adding that Namal Rajapaksa recently had held a meeting, which was attended by only 18 people.

Dissanayake went on to say that there had never been any ideological differences between the UNP and the SLPP.

“This time around they are contesting elections together. The SJB is also attacking the NPP,” he said.

In 2022, there had been a fire at Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence and the damage to his car, given by the state, was almost 200 million, the NPP leader said.

“When Maithripala Sirisena was President, he got the Cabinet to give him properties in Colombo that was worth around a billion rupees. Recently, the government spent 350 million rupees to refurbish Mahinda Rajapaksa’s house in Colombo. They live in the lap of luxury while the people in this country don’t have access to the most basic health facilities. NPP will put an end to this wasteful expenses,” said Dissanayake.