Sugeeshwara Bandara, leader of the New People’s Front, has sharply criticized President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for consolidating control over an unprecedented number of state institutions, claiming that this move surpasses the actions of former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Speaking at a media conference in Colombo, Bandara argued that President Dissanayake’s recent decision to gazette 94 state institutions under his direct control marked a record for a Sri Lankan head of state.
Bandara expressed his disbelief at Dissanayake’s actions, pointing out the irony in his criticism of previous leaders for similarly consolidating state institutions. “It is ridiculous that President Dissanayake, who accused Presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa of keeping state institutions, has now done the very same thing,” Bandara said. He claimed that Dissanayake’s move was not just about administrative convenience but was indicative of an economic monopoly being formed under the President’s direct supervision.
Among the 94 institutions placed under Dissanayake’s control, according to Bandara, were key revenue-generating entities such as Sri Lanka Airlines, Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobitel, and several others, leaving few income-generating institutions for other ministers. Bandara suggested that this move signaled an economic dictatorship, accusing the President of exploiting the power vacuum and placing nearly all strategic economic resources under his personal oversight.
Bandara’s comments extended beyond the economic realm, touching on concerns over national security. He raised alarms over the government’s handling of military camps and strategic locations in the northern part of the country. He pointed out that military camps had been removed in strategic areas such as Palali-Achchuveli and that there were reports of the Elephant Pass camp also being dismantled. Bandara expressed concerns that this could be part of a broader political agenda to appease demands from the Tamil-majority North, which could potentially lead to a rise in separatist sentiments. He questioned whether these actions were in line with national security priorities and demanded clarification from the government about their decisions.
The issue of national security further intensified with the commemoration of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), an internationally banned group. The 70th anniversary celebration of Prabhakaran’s birth sparked controversy, with accusations that it undermined national security. Ananda Wijepala, the Minister of Public Security, was quoted as saying that even banned organizations could display their flags and symbols, a statement that Bandara and other critics vehemently condemned. They viewed this as an endorsement of separatism and a dangerous sign of the government’s weakening stance on national security.
Bandara emphasized the sacrifices made by Sri Lanka’s war heroes and questioned whether the government was prioritizing national security or pandering to separatist elements. He criticized the government’s internal contradictions, pointing out the discrepancy between statements made by government spokespeople and the actions of its ministers. While Dr. Nalin de Jayatissa, the government media spokesperson, condemned the display of banned emblems, Wijepala’s statement had the opposite effect, further raising doubts about the government’s true stance.
Bandara concluded by questioning the government’s commitment to the unity of Sri Lanka, claiming that the rhetoric of President Dissanayake about the end of separatism in both the North and South had been contradicted by the events that followed. “Within hours of the President’s announcement, the separatist movement in the North was reignited,” Bandara said, accusing the government of playing with fire in terms of national security.
In light of these issues, Bandara and others in the opposition are calling for clarity from President Dissanayake and his government on their approach to governance, national security, and their long-term vision for Sri Lanka’s future.
