We will topple the government at the earliest opportunity: Namal vows at Nugegoda rally

• SLPP leaders accuse NPP of broken promises and political intimidation
• Protesters demand justice for public service attacks and minority rights neglect

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa said the opposition, united in this fashion, will be working for unseating the government at the earliest opportunity available.

Speaking at the “Maha Jana Handa” public rally, organised by several opposition parties at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda, he urged the government to concentrate its energy on work, rather than spreading blatant lies.  He said that political forces were carefully watching them.

“A ship is built not to be anchored only. It is built to be launched into the sea. It has to brave turbulence.  Yet, it is on voyage. Likewise, the journey we started is aimed at sending the government home,” he said.

He said the current government tells endless lies and has imposed heavy taxes on the people. 

“They promised to open factories, but instead, factories are closing.

They have ruined the public service and are taking revenge on state employees. The government is using its political power for personal gain and trying to control the public service as they wish.

”Namal reminded pro-government state employees and officials to carry out their duties honestly. He said they would resolve the political issues with the government and urged the President not to drag innocent state employees, police officers, and members of the Tri-Forces into political agendas. He also said, “NPP leaders who went to meet farmers today stay in Colombo wearing suits. We had to remind the government that it must protect the farmers. They said they came to stop the rice mafia, but soon after taking office, they brought in 1,700 double cabs. This government was formed to fulfil promises, but when they fail, they use political pressure and intimidation against the people.” He added that the government restricts information to the media when its own members are involved in drug cases.

“When we try to reveal the truth, they accuse us of trying to create racism,” he said. Meanwhile, former MP Ashu Marasinghe said the UNP Deputy Leader and other senior members did not attend the rally.

SJB MP Hector Appuhamy said the party had made a policy decision not to participate. Before the rally began, the organisers experienced a power cut. The SJB, Sarvajana Balaya, and the National Freedom Front (NFF) also confirmed they would not attend the event.

The Police Media Division also issued a statement on the use of loudspeakers at the rally. Pro-government groups hung bundles of grass in several areas around Dehiwala and Kohuwala, claiming that “only buffaloes” would attend the opposition rally. Responding to this, Namal Rajapaksa said such acts, along with the removal of loudspeakers near the venue, would not weaken the SLPP.

SLPP MP and Attorney-at-Law Premnath C. Dolawatte said the current administration has no respect for the country or Buddhism. He said the government has harmed the health and agriculture sectors.

Former UNP MP Harin Fernando, speaking at the rally, said their struggle will continue until the government is held accountable. He reminded the crowd that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa ended the 30-year war, while Ranil Wickremesinghe saved the country’s economy and protected the people.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader and former MP Udaya Gammanpila said the government would need a venue ten times larger than the crowd gathered in Nugegoda. He said even the police do not fully support the government and are being forced to follow its orders. He warned that the government’s days are numbered and that all opposition parties will unite on a single platform. He added that under a new government, all NPP MPs who insulted the courts would be brought before the law.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Jaffna District organiser Geethanath Cassilingam criticised the government for failing to deliver on key promises made to the people of the North and East during last year’s election campaign. Speaking at the rally in Nugegoda, he said the National People’s Power (NPP) government had not fulfilled a single commitment it made to Tamil-speaking communities, despite winning a strong mandate in those areas.

“One year has passed, yet none of those promises have been honoured. The NPP won a resounding victory in the North and East, but the commitments given to minorities remain unkept. How much longer does the government plan to mislead these communities?” he asked.

Cassilingam claimed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during discussions with the ITAK ahead of the election, pledged full implementation of the 13th Amendment, the release of former LTTE prisoners and reforms to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

“Our party’s position on these issues has not changed, East cannot be ignored any longer,” he said.