During a charged political rally held in Naula, Matale, in support of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) presidential campaign, Member of Parliament Janaka Tissakuttiarachchi, commonly referred to as “Kutti,” launched a scathing attack on Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Kutti accused Dissanayake of being “the number one murderer in the country” and further claimed that the JVP was “sowing terror” across the nation.
In his speech, Kutti reminisced about political shifts within the Matale district, emphasizing his loyalty to the Rajapaksa family and condemning others who, he claimed, betrayed their cause for financial rewards. He alleged that many political figures, including Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, and Rohana Dissanayake, abandoned the Mahinda Rajapaksa camp for bar licenses and payments ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 rupees. He singled out Nalaka Kottegoda as one of the few who remained loyal, protecting “the pride of Matale.”
Kutti’s remarks were an attempt to highlight the personal sacrifices and dedication of those who stayed with the Rajapaksa-led SLPP during challenging times, contrasting them with those who, in his view, betrayed the movement for selfish gains.
Kutti showered praise on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, recounting his historic role in ending Sri Lanka’s 30-year civil war. He pointed out that earlier leaders, such as Ranasinghe Premadasa, DB Wijetunga, and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, had all failed to bring peace to the country, whereas Rajapaksa achieved victory over the LTTE within three years of assuming office in 2005. “Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa will go down in history for ending the war,” Kutti declared, adding that the former president transformed Sri Lanka and should be celebrated for his leadership.
Kutti also implied that Rajapaksa’s legacy had transcended politics, claiming that the former president’s accomplishments made him a hero to the people, and he expressed his pride in being a part of that legacy.
Kutti’s most striking accusation was directed at Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the JVP leader, who he labeled “the number one murderer in this country.” According to Kutti, Dissanayake and his party were sowing fear and terror across the nation. He went on to claim that, if Dissanayake came to power, he would strip members of parliament and former presidents of their security and privileges, including housing.
Kutti also suggested that Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government was complicit in carrying out the JVP’s political agenda. He emphasized that Mahinda Rajapaksa had to be evacuated to the Trincomalee Naval Base for his safety in the past, claiming that attempts on Rajapaksa’s life were still being made by terrorist organizations like the LTTE, which Kutti alleged had not been fully eradicated.
Kutti turned his focus to the future of the SLPP, rallying support for Namal Rajapaksa, Mahinda’s son, as the party’s presidential candidate. He expressed confidence that Namal Rajapaksa would secure victory in the upcoming election, claiming that the SLPP still had the backing of the 6.9 million voters who supported them in the last election. He said, “We can see the energy that the people of Matale district have taken to make Namal Rajapaksa president.”
Kutti urged the people not to be afraid, asserting that the Rajapaksa camp had worked harder than any other political faction and would continue to fight for Sri Lanka’s prosperity.
Kutti’s speech, filled with sharp accusations and fiery rhetoric, underlined the deep divisions in Sri Lankan politics ahead of the presidential election. His allegations against Anura Kumara Dissanayake, his unwavering loyalty to Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his endorsement of Namal Rajapaksa for the presidency all reflect the ongoing power struggles between the major political camps in the country.
As the election draws closer, such confrontational rhetoric will likely intensify, with political figures using every opportunity to rally their supporters and discredit their opponents.
