The opposition within Sri Lanka has begun rallying against President Anura Dissanayake, as the phrase “Anura Go Home” gains traction in political discourse. Former Colombo Municipal Councillor and Colombo West Chief Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Dilip Fernando, addressed the growing discontent during a press conference in Colombo, where he made strong remarks about the National People’s Power (NPP) government.
Fernando accused the NPP of betraying the trust of the people by failing to deliver on its campaign promises and called on the government to address the country’s worsening economic crisis. His statements highlighted several key grievances against the ruling administration, including allegations of incompetence and dishonesty.
He also brought attention to past controversies, urging the government to “send emissaries to Uganda” to retrieve the wealth allegedly hidden by the Rajapaksa family—a claim that has persisted in Sri Lanka’s political rhetoric for years.
In his remarks, Fernando criticized the NPP for its populist rhetoric, which he claimed was used to mislead voters during the last election. He stated, “The lies these people told to seize power are now evident to everyone. This government, which came to power by deceiving the people with lies, will ultimately collapse under the weight of its own fabrications.”
Fernando mocked the administration’s failures in addressing the nation’s agricultural issues, citing the importation of spoiled rice during a supposed rice shortage. He added, “This government, which promised to be smart and efficient, imported inedible rice. The people will not even be able to cook milk rice to celebrate the New Year.”
He further claimed that the administration’s inability to fulfill its promises and economic mismanagement had left the population disillusioned. He warned that continued inaction and broken promises would inevitably lead to a populist uprising against President Dissanayake.
Fernando concluded his remarks by stating that the opposition would be compelled to mobilize a broader movement to demand the President’s resignation unless swift measures were taken to address the nation’s pressing issues. He called for the formation of a “populist government” that would prioritize the needs of the people, stating, “If this government continues to fail, we will have no choice but to say ‘Anura Go Home’ and remove Comrade President from office as a united brotherhood.”
The growing political unrest signals a challenging path ahead for President Dissanayake and the NPP, as they navigate mounting opposition while trying to address Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic and political crises.
