Namal slams Lalkantha, warns against intimidation of state institutions

Colombo, Jan. 23 (Daily Mirror) - National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Namal Rajapaksa, yesterday launched a sharp attack on JVP leader Lal Kantha, accusing him of attempting to undermine state institutions through threats and intimidation.

Addressing the media at the SLPP headquarters on Nelum Mawatha, Rajapaksa said that any attempt to take control of the State by threatening the public, disrespecting the Maha Sangha, or intimidating government officials, the Attorney General’s Department and the judiciary would remain nothing more than a “dream.”

“What may not be relevant to him is relevant to the country and its survival,” Rajapaksa said, stressing that such actions posed a serious threat to democratic governance. Referring to a recent remark attributed to Lal Kantha, Rajapaksa said, “He claimed that cannons will not be used for what can be done with a dice. What we are saying is that we will not misuse power unnecessarily, but the law must prevail.”

Rajapaksa also outlined the SLPP’s ongoing political programme, stating that the party was moving forward successfully, with a growing number of people joining and others who had distanced themselves in the past returning to active politics. He said the party had reflected on past political decisions and was now focused on policy-based politics, similar to the political journey of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Commenting on education reforms, Rajapaksa said there was a need for meaningful change that reflected the aspirations of students, not what he described as the agenda of the JVP. He accused the government of behaving like an opposition, claiming that it was protesting against itself instead of taking responsibility for governance.

“For the first time in history, we see a government protesting while being in power,” he said, adding that the administration had failed to take responsibility for policy implementation, including curriculum guidelines and digital platforms related to education reforms.

Rajapaksa further accused the government of attempting to influence independent institutions, including the Attorney General’s Department, and warned that the government must understand it is no longer in the opposition. He said the people had already sent a clear message to the government at the last local government elections and warned that a stronger response would come at future polls if that message continued to be ignored.

Raising concerns over law and order, Rajapaksa said the law should be applied equally, calling for action against those involved in major crimes, including drug trafficking, large-scale smuggling, environmental destruction and corruption in public tenders. He alleged that officers who had successfully conducted major drug raids were being transferred, while organized criminals linked to the government were protected.

“The people of this country live in fear every day as organized crime continues,” he said, alleging that the government was indirectly enabling criminal networks.

Concluding his remarks, Rajapaksa said that threats, intimidation and protests against independent institutions would not help the government’s political ambitions. “If the government believes that such politics will make Lal Kantha a minister or a president, that will not work,” he said.