In a powerful show of ground-level mobilization, the United National Party (UNP) stunned political observers by organizing over 8,000 pocket meetings across Sri Lanka by midday on May Day—without a single major rally.
UNP General Secretary and Attorney-at-Law Thalatha Athukorala released a statement thanking the party’s local government candidates and grassroots supporters for orchestrating thousands of intimate gatherings aimed at connecting directly with the people.
“These pocket meetings were more than just strategy—they were a reminder of our unwavering commitment to the people of Sri Lanka,” the statement emphasized. “This is the new political culture. The era of busing crowds into cities to wave flags is behind us.”
According to Athukorala, the UNP deliberately turned away from the traditional May Day spectacle, choosing instead to take its message straight into the villages, reasserting the party’s relevance and strength at the community level.
But the statement didn’t stop there.
The UNP took a direct swipe at the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led National People’s Power (NPP), condemning the anti-India rhetoric that surfaced during the NPP’s May Day event.
“It was India that extended a helping hand to Sri Lanka during our worst economic crisis,” the UNP declared. “To turn around and attack the Indian government now is not just irresponsible—it risks undermining Sri Lanka’s hard-won international partnerships.”
The message was clear: while others played to the gallery, the UNP claims it’s doing the real work of rebuilding trust, both at home and abroad.
