A charged night in Nugegoda saw opposition forces rallying together with explosive speeches, fierce accusations and a clear vow to overthrow the government at the earliest possible moment, setting the stage for a major political showdown in Sri Lanka.
SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa declared that the united opposition will work toward unseating the government at the first available opportunity. Addressing the “Maha Jana Handa” public rally at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda, he urged the administration to focus on real governance instead of spreading what he called blatant lies. He warned that the government is being closely watched by political forces across the country.
He told the crowd, “A ship is built not to be anchored only. It is built to be launched into the sea. It has to brave turbulence. Yet, it is on voyage. Likewise, the journey we started is aimed at sending the government home.” Namal accused the government of lying to the public, imposing unbearable taxes and closing factories despite promising industrial growth. He said the administration has destroyed the public service and is using political power for personal benefit.
Namal urged state employees loyal to the government to carry out their duties honestly. He told the crowd that they would resolve political issues with the government but warned the President not to drag innocent public servants, police officers and Tri Forces personnel into political agendas. He added, “NPP leaders who went to meet farmers today stay in Colombo wearing suits. We had to remind the government that it must protect the farmers. They said they came to stop the rice mafia, but soon after taking office, they brought in 1,700 double cabs.”
He accused the administration of intimidating the public instead of fulfilling promises and said the government restricts media access whenever its own members are implicated in drug related cases. “When we try to reveal the truth, they accuse us of trying to create racism,” he said.
Former MP Ashu Marasinghe said senior UNP leaders did not attend the rally, while SJB MP Hector Appuhamy confirmed that their party made a policy decision not to participate. Before the rally began, organisers experienced a power cut. Multiple opposition groups including the SJB, Sarvajana Balaya and the National Freedom Front also stayed away.
The Police Media Division issued a statement highlighting loudspeaker restrictions. Pro-government groups hung bundles of grass in areas around Dehiwala and Kohuwala, claiming that “only buffaloes” would attend the rally. Responding, Namal said actions such as removing loudspeakers or mocking the crowd would not weaken the SLPP.
SLPP MP and Attorney-at-Law Premnath C. Dolawatte accused the government of lacking respect for the country and Buddhism. He said the administration has caused serious damage to the agriculture and health sectors. Former UNP MP Harin Fernando reminded the crowd that their struggle would continue until the government is held fully accountable. He said former President Mahinda Rajapaksa ended the thirty year war, while Ranil Wickremesinghe restored economic stability and protected citizens.
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila said the government would need a venue ten times larger to match the crowd in Nugegoda. He added that even the police are not fully supporting the government and are acting under pressure. He declared that the administration’s days are numbered and that all opposition parties will soon unite on one platform. He warned that under a new government, all NPP MPs who insulted the courts would be brought before the law.
SLPP Jaffna District organiser Geethanath Cassilingam accused the government of betraying the North and East. He said the NPP won decisively in Tamil-speaking areas but “not a single promise has been honoured.” He asked, “How much longer does the government plan to mislead these communities?”
He said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promised ITAK full implementation of the 13th Amendment, release of former LTTE prisoners and PTA reforms. Cassilingam said none of these have been delivered and warned that the North and East “cannot be ignored any longer.”
