PHU Leader Udaya Gammanpila slams President Anura Kumara for concealing details of his recent Germany visit, raising serious questions over public fund misuse, failure to meet the German Chancellor, and rumors of links to ex-LTTE leader Nediyawan. As doubts swirl, Gammanpila insists the President owes the truth to the nation.
A storm of controversy surrounds President Anura’s recent visit to Germany, with PHU Leader and lawyer Udaya Gammanpila alleging a deliberate cover-up. Addressing a media conference at the PHU headquarters, Gammanpila questioned the President’s silence on the purpose of the trip, especially amid rumors of a secret meeting with former LTTE leader Nediyawan.
Before the President’s departure, social media buzzed with claims that he would avoid meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and instead pursue undisclosed discussions. Despite public pressure to clarify the matter, the President offered no explanation. Gammanpila noted that instead of a statement, the JVP-affiliated National Bhikkhu Front filed a complaint with the CID to arrest him for raising the issue. A protest by Compass party members followed, culminating in a failed attempt by the CID to obtain a court warrant for his arrest. Gammanpila clarified he was abroad for research at the time, countering accusations of fleeing justice.
“What followed confirmed public suspicions,” Gammanpila said. “The President met only the German President and the Foreign Minister, not the Chancellor, who holds executive power. The German President is a ceremonial figure. Visiting Germany without engaging with its head of government is a blatant misuse of taxpayer money.”
He criticized the visit as symbolic and ineffective, stating that any meaningful diplomacy should involve the Chancellor. “Even President Ranil Wickremesinghe met the German Chancellor during his 2023 trip. So why didn’t the current President?” he asked. “Did the Chancellor refuse? Or was there another motive, like meeting Nediyawan, as social media speculated?”
Gammanpila also questioned why the Foreign Minister wasn’t sent instead, which would have significantly reduced expenses. “Sending the President means sending large delegations, security, and media costing the country dearly. If only the Foreign Minister was meeting his counterpart, we could have saved millions.”
He concluded by saying that citizens who pay direct and indirect taxes deserve an honest answer. “This isn’t just politics. It’s about accountability. The President must explain his actions and clear the growing doubts surrounding this visit. Immunity doesn’t last forever.”
