Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri has stated that the public’s loyalty to the National People’s Power (NPP) government is highly temporary and depends on how well the administration meets the expectations of the people. He emphasized that maintaining the unstable vote base requires continuous efforts to address the needs and aspirations of the citizens rather than relying on symbolic gestures.
He compared President Anura Dissanayake’s approach to that of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, pointing out that Anura is frequently seen holding and hugging children in public events, a strategy Rajapaksa also used to build emotional connections with the public. While Dewasiri acknowledged that such gestures might temporarily strengthen public goodwill, he argued that they alone will not be enough to sustain long-term support for the government.
He further stated that while such emotional appeals may attract temporary loyalty, voters are ultimately more concerned about economic stability, including their livelihoods, cost of living, and financial well-being. He stressed that the public will prioritize tangible solutions to their economic struggles over political theatrics or public relations tactics.
Dr. Dewasiri made these remarks during a discussion on Derana Channel, where he analyzed the political landscape and the challenges the NPP government faces in maintaining its voter support.
