A storm is brewing in Sri Lanka’s political landscape. As President Anura Kumara Dissanayake ramps up his personal security with bulletproof vehicles and hidden convoys, ministers and opposition leaders argue over threats, broken promises, and the ironic gap between pre-election ideals and today’s realpolitik. Meanwhile, the arrest of a former Navy commander sparks national outrage, reopening old wounds of war, betrayal, and intelligence intrigue. As farmers protest, hotel demolitions stir controversy, and educational reforms face backlash, the nation’s leadership faces growing pressure from every corner on the ground, in Parliament, and from within their own conscience.
The President has already deployed more security and vehicles. Three in front, and a queue will soon form.
Party leader Sugeeshwara Bandara, Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs Vidura Algama, and Secretary for Finance Dinushka Gunasekara participated in the press conference held at the New People’s Front party headquarters.
Party leader Sugeeshwara Bandara gave his views and explained the current political situation.
Minister KD Lalkantha stated that the security for the President is not sufficient and should be increased and if necessary, even helicopters should be deployed. Minister Lalkantha did not make this statement out of thin air. It followed a long discussion held at the Pelawatta headquarters regarding an intelligence tip received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The people are very unhappy, worried, and disappointed because almost all the promises made by the government so far have been broken. Since they have failed to fulfill even a single promise after giving a few hopes there is now growing discontent among the people toward the government and the President.
We witnessed this recently, when young people including Minister TB Sarath, who went to establish the Polonnaruwa Youth Club, rose up and protested. Now that this is growing, we have received information that the intelligence agencies have issued a report on it. It is based on that report that Mr. Lalkantha is telling this story. Although Mr. Lalkantha may not know, even now President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is using more security and more vehicles than President Gotabaya Rajapaksa used.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa used two police motorbikes, a van, and a rear vehicle, and he traveled in his personal vehicle. However, as far as we have received information, President Anura Kumara uses four police motorbikes, a van, a rear vehicle, and a bulletproof vehicle. He opens the door after arriving in the bulletproof vehicle and gets out. In addition, the security forces have now strategically positioned Defender ambulances carrying more security personnel about a kilometer behind those seven vehicles. This is being done covertly. President Gotabaya did not use hidden ambulances or additional troops.
Similarly, we have received information that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has deployed a civilian and another security team. We do not see anything wrong with that. Because Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the head of state, the leader of the country, and he needs to be protected. Providing him with sufficient security personnel, vehicles, and even helicopters if necessary is the state’s responsibility. There is no debate about that.
A social debate on this issue arose following the statements made by Anura Kumara Dissanayake MP and Sunil Handunnetti MP.
Before becoming President, MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Presidential Security Division would be disbanded and that officers would be reassigned to police stations. MP Handunnetti stated that the President or Minister did not need security or VIP protection that the general public lacks.
Is it fate’s irony that Mr. Lalkantha and Mr. Samantha Vidyaratne are now loudly demanding more and more security, just ten months later? Mr. Samantha Vidyaratne is arguing that not only the President, but also ministers and MPs must receive necessary protection. Mr. Samantha Vidyaratne knows that due to the deteriorating state of the government and according to intelligence information, people are taking to the streets.
Public discontent is increasing. Therefore, ministers and MPs are under the impression that they require protection. In this country, when unrest arises, even MPs can be killed like animals. Four hundred homes belonging to MPs and other political leaders were destroyed. The people turned the country into a lake of blood and fire for three days. To prevent such a scenario from reoccurring, we urge the President-led government to provide adequate protection not only to the President but also to ministers, MPs, all party members, and opposition MPs in Parliament. We also remind the President that there is a serious issue concerning the security of former Presidents. Mr. Nalinda Jayatissa introduced a Bill to amend the Presidential Entitlements Act No. 04 of 1986, to reduce the security and vehicle allocations of former Presidents. It is now under discussion. Since the Malima government has come to power, it has shown intense animosity toward former Presidents.
Protecting former Presidents is also the responsibility of the state. We request that you seek proper counsel from experts who can advise the international community on national security and ensure protection for your MPs and former Presidents. But the people of the country are grieving. Shootings are occurring everywhere, and murders are happening at an alarming rate.
In line with promises made to the Tamil Diaspora, former Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenna, a distinguished naval officer, was arrested to satisfy funding requirements for the upcoming Geneva Human Rights Council in September.
His arrest is based on an incident in which someone was detained in the Kurunegala area in 2010. Was it wrong for him to go there as an intelligence officer? Mr. Ulugetenna played a key role in neutralizing the LTTE’s naval capabilities. The arrest of such an officer seems to appease the Tamil Diaspora a key election promise.
In line with those promises, the Palali road was dismantled, the Atchaveli road opened, Alimankada military checkpoints were removed, all northern military roadblocks dismantled, and now even the Vavuniya Air Force base is being prepared for removal.
This same Nishantha Ulugetenna escorted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa safely to Trincomalee after his resignation. He went above and beyond his duty. According to those in the Navy, he was a highly capable officer who fulfilled all his responsibilities.
As he was Commander of the Navy, he should have been placed in a secure house until trial just as Sarath Fonseka was. Or if there were concerns of flight risk, a travel ban could have been imposed.
Instead, Mr. Ulugetenna’s arrest has drawn the ire of patriotic citizens. The war hero hunt that began under the 2015 Good Governance regime continues. The leadership for this comes from retired Senior Superintendent and CID Director Shani Abeysekara, assisted by CID Inspector Nishantha de Silva, who fled the country seeking asylum. Information indicates both are behind the pursuit of Mr. Ulugetenna.
Twelve thousand rehabilitated LTTE cadres in the North are now revisiting households, allegedly recording statements and applying pressure. Even army officers are being forced to testify that kidnappings and killings occurred. This betrayal is reportedly orchestrated by Nishantha de Silva, now in hiding abroad. We stand firmly against this war hero hunt. Moreover, retired DIG Ampawila has been appointed Deputy Inspector General of CID. What is happening?
Retired SSP Shani Abeysekara is back as CID Director. Reports indicate 28 retired officers have been rehired to the CID. This “Compass” government ignores the Establishments Code, blatantly reappointing retired officers. Where is the transparency?
Who are they accountable to? This rehiring trend shows that those seeking political vengeance are using retired officials to do their bidding. Without Shani Abeysekara, it seems the CID would cease to function.
Shani Abeysekara appears to be omnipotent. He does everything. What power does this man wield? He is backed by the Cardinal. In the Easter Attacks, Saharan and other bombers were killed. Seven hundred people were arrested.
Later, former President Maithripala Sirisena, the former Public Security Secretary, and the ex-IGP were all fined. Mr. Lasantha Jayawardena was fined as well. Five others were suspended. Father Jude Krishantha now faces the death penalty. All that remains is to announce the date of execution.
Yet, when attack dates, times, clothing, and detailed warnings were given and ignored, Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekara still received top appointments. The CID runs on Shani’s patronage.
Let it be known: even the Cardinal carries Shani in his heart.
Meanwhile, another scandal brews, the demolition of Dudley Sirisena’s hotel. The Compass government’s main problem seems to be water storage in tanks. They claimed 1329 tanks are fixed. They promised cheap cars, lower fuel prices, electricity discounts, higher salaries, and reduced loan interest for pensioners. Taxes on school and medical equipment were supposedly slashed from 118% to 20%. Yet, farmers are still suffering.
What are the farmers saying? No guaranteed prices for wet paddy. They’re being cheated. Paddy procurement has collapsed. Fertilizer is unavailable, subsidies aren’t coming through, and water shortages persist. The Parakrama Samudra Nuwarawewa issue remains unresolved.
And yet, the nation talks about the demolition of Dudley’s hotel. Mr. Lal Kantha, the so-called JVP stalwart, has performed for the media. If the hotel was unauthorized, fine. But he claims Dudley didn’t even call. He now says the hotel wasn’t illegal.
This is the same man who once compared eating habits to Kabaragoya and Thalagoya. Don’t be surprised if he claims that Dudley built Parakrama Samudra.
Dudley Sirisena, who funded their campaigns, has now been cleared. No government dares criticize this hotel. We condemn Lal Kantha’s double standards.
The Prime Minister claims the economy was dead when they took over. Every word she says is false. When President Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office, Sri Lanka could still pay debts till 2027.
Their “rainbow education reforms” aim to erase history and arts. What was created under Akila and refined by Susil had value. But the Prime Minister hates it, so they’re replacing it with nothing but political slogans.
This government is drunk with power. They begged for control of the nation, of Parliament, of the village, and now even of women’s groups and family societies. Tomorrow, they’ll seek control over death benefits and Montessori schools.
Even the National Youth Services Council, created by President Wickremesinghe, is now being politicized. No past regime dared politicize youth societies. But this government does so without shame. Behind it stand Eranga Gunasekara and the leaders of the so-called Compassionate Party.
