National People’s Power (NPP) MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi has stated that citizens in a democratic society have the right to convince others of their own interpretations of truth and lies. Speaking at an event in Kalutara, she emphasized that the government will respect this democratic freedom, even if it involves criticizing or misrepresenting the government’s actions.
“You have the full right to present any truth as a lie or any lie as truth. It is your democratic right,” she asserted. Kottahachchi added that people are also entitled to highlight the negative aspects of positive initiatives undertaken by the government and are equally free to praise actions that may be harmful to society.
However, she encouraged citizens to exercise patience and evaluate results before forming judgments about government actions. “It takes time to see the outcome of certain decisions. Criticism should be based on informed understanding rather than immediate assumptions,” she said.
The MP further defended the integrity of the NPP during the recent presidential election campaign, denying accusations that party members resorted to falsehoods to secure Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s victory. “No member of the National People’s Power Party, including myself, engaged in misleading the public. We did not need lies to win because we are not a bankrupt political force,” she remarked.
She argued that the NPP’s success was built on public disillusionment with traditional political systems, not on deceptive tactics. “The people placed their faith in Anura Kumara Dissanayake because they had lost confidence in other political options, not because they were misled,” she added.
Her remarks reflect the party’s stance on transparency and accountability, underscoring the value of democratic freedoms while urging thoughtful engagement with political discourse.
