The inauguration of the Homagama Election Operations Center for the 2025 Local Government Election and the introduction of the Pradeshiya Sabha candidate team were held in Homagama under the patronage of United Republican Front (URF) leader and former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.
During the event, Ranawaka emphasized that the United Republican Front is prepared to lead the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha in a new direction. He urged the public to oppose the current government in the Local Government Election and vote for the United Republican Front, which is contesting under the pencil symbol.
“Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha is the largest in the country, and we have experience in its development. We have successfully transformed loss-making institutions into profitable entities. Our team consists of committed individuals who work voluntarily. We can increase the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha’s income from Rs. 100 crore to Rs. 200-300 crore. Therefore, voting for the old parties is pointless. The United Republican Front, under the pencil symbol, is here to introduce a new team—clean, hardworking, with strong women’s leadership and young entrepreneurs,” Ranawaka stated.
He criticized the government for failing to fulfill its promises, including reducing electricity bills, providing relief, increasing salaries, and punishing corrupt individuals. He urged the public to express their discontent in the upcoming election.
Ranawaka also spoke about the Homagama Technology City, which was planned as a hub for educating 20,000 students and advancing Sri Lanka’s technology sector. However, he accused the government of imposing taxes on those generating wealth through technology.
“The Homagama Technology City was designed to educate 20,000 students and boost the economy. Today, those who earn through technology are being taxed 15% on their dollar income. Instead of fostering technological advancement, the government is stifling it,” he said.
He further alleged that a National People’s Power (NPP) MP from Homagama incited the local community by falsely claiming that thousands of coconuts from coconut trees in the Homagama Technology City were destroyed.
Turning his attention to broken promises, Ranawaka recalled that in 2015, after President Maithripala Sirisena assumed office, fuel prices were reduced within 14 days. He accused the current government of failing to remove taxes on fuel despite its pre-election assurances.
He also pointed out that while the government pledged to reduce electricity bills by one-third, the Minister of Power now claims the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is suffering losses. However, Ranawaka countered that the CEB recorded a profit of Rs. 144 billion last year. He accused the government of favoring the coal industry while reducing free electricity generated from solar power by 50%.
Ranawaka further criticized the government for imposing a tax of Rs. 65 per kilogram on rice despite earlier promises to exempt essential food items from taxation.
Accusing the government of deceiving the public, he remarked, “Piyankara Jayaratne was caught claiming he would play a Vesak card. Arjuna Mahendran, responsible for the Central Bank bond scam, has still not been brought back. Deshabandhu will never be touched because a powerful figure is shielding him. Even if Anura Dissanayake becomes President, he will not act against those who wield influence.”
Ranawaka also criticized the government for using incidents like Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Al Jazeera interview for political gain instead of enacting strong laws in Parliament to prosecute wrongdoers.
Finally, commenting on the government’s wildlife census, he argued that simply counting animals that damage crops is insufficient. He stressed the need for a clear action plan outlining the next steps following the census.
