Ratnapura, September 2024 – Reverend Itthekande Saddhatissa Thero has made bold predictions regarding Sri Lanka’s future political landscape, asserting that Namal Rajapaksa, the presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), will rule the country for 30 years following his likely victory in the upcoming presidential election. Addressing a crowd at a campaign rally in Ratnapura, Saddhatissa Thero expressed unwavering confidence in the Rajapaksa family’s political future and their ability to guide the country through its challenges.
During his speech, Saddhatissa Thero reflected on the political trajectory of the Rajapaksa family, praising former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership, which he said saved the country from decades of civil war. He criticized former allies who have distanced themselves from the Rajapaksa family, stating, “In the past, many went to Parliament wearing Mahinda Rajapaksa’s image, but today, many of them are in different political camps.” He emphasized that despite these defections, the Rajapaksa family’s loyal base remains strong.
Saddhatissa Thero then turned his attention to opposition figures, particularly Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and a fellow presidential candidate. He mocked Dissanayake’s bid for the presidency, referring to his claim that the country should be handed over to him. “Anura is now claiming the right to lead this country. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s name has even been altered to say ‘Anurata’ in some places,” he quipped, suggesting that the opposition is attempting to rewrite the narrative.
The reverend was also critical of the JVP’s actions during the country’s recent economic crisis and the political turmoil that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. He accused the JVP of exacerbating the situation by pursuing its own political agenda instead of uniting for the greater good. Saddhatissa Thero specifically referenced the attack on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Mirihana residence during the height of the economic crisis, which he viewed as a symptom of the opposition’s failure to stabilize the country.
He further expressed concern that the JVP believed all the votes in their favor would automatically translate into electoral success. “The JVP thinks all those votes belong to them,” he said, asserting that the silent majority still stood with the Rajapaksas.
Saddhatissa Thero also addressed the ongoing loyalty of SLPP supporters, particularly those who value Sri Lankan cultural traditions and national heritage. He described the SLPP as the party of “people who have gone to Dhamma school and appreciate our culture,” and urged voters to reject those who had abandoned the Rajapaksa cause.
Looking to the future, Saddhatissa Thero said, “Namal Rajapaksa has the potential to lead this country for the next 30 years. We can do this, but our people are silent.” He called on the SLPP’s base to remain united and ensure that those who had left the party would not be allowed to return to Parliament.
He also reminded the crowd of the sacrifices made during the country’s 30-year civil war, expressing the deep gratitude owed to the nation’s war heroes. “This is a country that has been affected by 30 years of war, where innocent war heroes returned to their villages in coffins. We owe it to them to stand for Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, and we are not ashamed of that,” he said passionately.
Saddhatissa Thero’s speech was aimed at rallying support for Namal Rajapaksa and the SLPP, emphasizing the Rajapaksa legacy and a vision of stability and development under Namal’s leadership for the next several decades. His address also served as a sharp critique of opposition parties, especially the JVP, while reinforcing the idea that the Rajapaksa family remains a pivotal force in Sri Lankan politics.
