United Republic Front Political Committee Chairman and Member of Parliament, Karu Paranavithana, made a bold statement at a rally in Aheliyagoda, claiming that the upcoming presidential election is a crucial battle between Sajith Premadasa, who represents progress, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who he says is leading the country into darkness. He dismissed current President Ranil Wickramasinghe as irrelevant in the race.
Speaking to a crowd at the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) rally, Paranavithana emphasized that the real competition in the 2024 Presidential Election was between Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the National People’s Power (NPP). He argued that Ranil Wickramasinghe is no longer a significant player in the race, stating, “Ranil is politically bankrupt and has now become nothing more than a media spokesperson for Anura.”
Karu Paranavithana described Sajith Premadasa as a “humanist leader,” someone who understands the needs of the people and has a vision to move the country forward. “Sajith represents a leadership that values the people, provides them with breathing space, and makes their well-being a priority,” he said, contrasting this with Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who he accused of promoting destructive politics and leading the country toward ruin.
He pointed out that Anura’s political platform lacks practical solutions, stating, “There’s no clear plan to develop this country. The JVP is only focused on protests, stirring up social divisions without offering any concrete proposals for progress.”
Paranavithana also criticized the JVP’s current leadership, reminiscing about his time with the party’s core members like Anura, Vijitha Herath, Bimal Ratnayake, and Sunil Handunnetti during their university days. “We know how they think. They’ve always focused on opposition and protests, but never on real, constructive change,” he said.
He referenced Anura Dissanayake’s stance against the political establishment, calling it a hypocritical move. “Those who were born, educated, and raised under the very system they now criticize are suddenly claiming that the past 77 years were a curse. If that’s true, then Anura Dissanayake himself is a curse,” he remarked, referring to the JVP’s criticism of the political leadership that shaped modern Sri Lanka, particularly since 1977.
Paranavithana contrasted the “curse” politics of Anura with what he described as “blessing politics” under Sajith Premadasa. “What this country needs is not leaders who curse the nation, but leaders who bring blessings. Instead of spewing ‘Vas Kavi’ (curse poems), we need leaders who offer ‘Seth Kavi’ (blessing prayers). Sajith Premadasa’s policies are a breath of fresh air, offering a moderate and balanced approach to governance,” he said.
The United Republic Front MP also criticized the JVP’s inability to stick to their ideological roots. He claimed that the socialism the JVP once advocated for has disappeared from their agenda. “You won’t find socialism anywhere in their 233-page manifesto. They can’t even take a stand on key issues like the provincial councils or the economic system. When asked whether they support a market economy, they have no answer,” he said.
He concluded by warning the crowd that if Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the JVP gained power, Sri Lanka would descend into chaos. “If these protest movements are given control, this country will go from destruction to destruction, just like Venezuela,” he said, urging voters to choose wisely in the upcoming election.
